Belly dance and religion

[Harry]

Religion, like politics, has no place in the entertainment arts. God, I so wanted to stick Billy Bragg's songs up his bum and put a match to them. And as for Sinead O'Connor.....! I do feel that song and dance should be done for the joy of it and share in that joy with others....not a platform for someone to start spouting off from. Where's me flameproof drawers..?

I believe I understand what you are saying, Kharis, but I think you are forgetting some fundamentals: Things like politics and arts have their origins in religion. Therefore, they are forever joined at the hip. I think you may be referring to the way in which politics/arts are abused in the name of religion.

One easy example, at least in the U.S., where many cry about "separation of church and state" being in the Constitution. Well, the Ten Commandments are on the doors of the U.S. Supreme Court. As well, most courtrooms have the phrase "In God We Trust" on the wall.

Religion and arts/entertainment? That, too, is easy for me. Everytime I write an Order of Worship, I consider the staging of the various parts of the service, much like an entertainer will consider the staging of events in a variety show. Dance? We have liturgical dance. As well, there are Christian belly dancers (just to stay on topic ).

 

[Harry]

I bet its your favourite!:lol::lol::lol:

Yes, Reenee, Ps. 150 is, indeed, one my favourites!

 

[Zorba]

One easy example, at least in the U.S., where many cry about "separation of church and state" being in the Constitution. Well, the Ten Commandments are on the doors of the U.S. Supreme Court. As well, most courtrooms have the phrase "In God We Trust" on the wall.

Both of which were NOT part of the Constitution - "In God We Trust" came out of the 1950s communism scare. Neither has any business in public life.

 

[Harry]

Both of which were NOT part of the Constitution - "In God We Trust" came out of the 1950s communism scare. Neither has any business in public life.

As well, Zorba, the phrase "separation of church and state" also is NOT in the Constitution. However, the very concept of "law", as we know it today, is felt by many to have originated in the time of Moses and the Ten Commandments. So, I'm not exactly sure what you mean when you say, "Neither has any business in public life," since such are the basis of having a public life that is not chaos, or some other type of undesirable existence.

To keep this on topic... well, without "law" originating in religion, belly dance probably would not be art, rather it might be something animalistic... Of course, that is just my opinion.

 

[Reen.Blom]

Everytime I write an Order of Worship, I consider the staging of the various parts of the service, much like an entertainer will consider the staging of events in a variety show.

What is an Order of Worship?

 

[Eve]

Religion, like politics, has no place in the entertainment arts. God, I so wanted to stick Billy Bragg's songs up his bum and put a match to them. And as for Sinead O'Connor.....! I do feel that song and dance should be done for the joy of it and share in that joy with others....not a platform for someone to start spouting off from. Where's me flameproof drawers..?

Nah, you don't need flame proof drawers.

I think there is a place for it even if it's not direct in the lyrics, shifts in popular music have been linked with social change. Elvis the Pelvis.
I have plenty of happy happy music and I have plenty bedsit wrist cutting music and plenty of let's burn down westminster music.

It's just people expressing emotion and thought, not every one of those is happy.

 

[Reen.Blom]

Religion, like politics, has no place in the entertainment arts. God, I so wanted to stick Billy Bragg's songs up his bum and put a match to them. And as for Sinead O'Connor.....! I do feel that song and dance should be done for the joy of it and share in that joy with others....not a platform for someone to start spouting off from. Where's me flameproof drawers..?

What About Sinead O'Connor?:think:

 

[Kharis]

What About Sinead O'Connor?:think:

She came out with some disparaging comments about the Pope...caused a right stink. She paid the price in terms of her professional career and had to apologise. I think her motives were right but she was using the wrong platform, and just made herself look like a dick. She's calmed down now, and apparently trained to become a catechist. She then became a rastafarian. Not sure what she's up to now. Her actions were a typical example of how not to mix politics and entertainment.

 

[adiemus]

You know, I'm curious as to why some of you think that religion/spirituality and dance have much in common.
When I dance I am embodying some of my values (beauty, creativity, physicality, freedom to express emotions) but it's not about worship or politics. And yes, it's entertainment or inviting other people to share in my values, but it's nothing to do with religion/spirituality.
I think the main link between the two is that people enjoy dancing - and religion (not necessarily spirituality) is often working to regulate what people enjoy, especially those religions that hold that joy should only be experienced when worshiping g*d. So if people enjoy dancing and it's not related to g*d, clearly dancing is not good.

 

[Eve]

She came out with some disparaging comments about the Pope...caused a right stink. She paid the price in terms of her professional career and had to apologise. I think her motives were right but she was using the wrong platform, and just made herself look like a dick. She's calmed down now, and apparently trained to become a catechist. She then became a rastafarian. Not sure what she's up to now. Her actions were a typical example of how not to mix politics and entertainment.

This pretty much covers it.

Sinéad O'Connor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's a tricky thing - they are entertainers so what other platform do they have?

And it also cuts both ways when politicians want to look down with the kids - always a bad idea. Oasis at 10 Downing Street.

 

[Kharis]

This pretty much covers it.

Sinéad O'Connor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's a tricky thing - they are entertainers so what other platform do they have?

And it also cuts both ways when politicians want to look down with the kids - always a bad idea. Oasis at 10 Downing Street.

It is tricky, and a lot can be done but it has to be treated the right way. Preaching or vehemently forcing your opinions and beliefs down the throats of others is not the way. Those in the entertainment industry generally have the financial resources to try other more powerful ways to influence events of a political nature. Religion in particular should be severely left alone.

 

[Kharis]

And it also cuts both ways when politicians want to look down with the kids - always a bad idea. Oasis at 10 Downing Street.

yes, but you'll note that Liam wasn't invited. I wonder why?

 

[Reen.Blom]

She came out with some disparaging comments about the Pope...caused a right stink. She paid the price in terms of her professional career and had to apologise. I think her motives were right but she was using the wrong platform, and just made herself look like a dick. She's calmed down now, and apparently trained to become a catechist. She then became a rastafarian. Not sure what she's up to now. Her actions were a typical example of how not to mix politics and entertainment.

Oh about her tearing up Pope's picture? I think it was cool! She did apologize, but the message went out, and later said that she would not do it differently. :lol:

I think this is something she feels strongly about, cos of her childhood.

I guess we all percieve it in a different way, and I believe she managed to raise media awareness of the problem. So well done in my eyes!

 

[Eve]

yes, but you'll note that Liam wasn't invited. I wonder why?

that whole CoolBritannia thing annoyed the hell out of me

 

[Harry]

What is an Order of Worship?

Thank you for asking, Reenee. Some denominations print a bulletin/program/agenda for their worship service, containing hymns, prayers, etc. My denomination (United Methodist) calls it an Order of Worship.

 

[Reen.Blom]

Thank you for asking, Reenee. Some denominations print a bulletin/program/agenda for their worship service, containing hymns, prayers, etc. My denomination (United Methodist) calls it an Order of Worship.

Gosh, that really sounds involved. Hope you recycle!

 

[Harry]

Gosh, that really sounds involved. Hope you recycle!

It's not too involved, it's usually just an 8.5"X11" sheet, folded once. And we do think green!

 

[Zorba]

As well, Zorba, the phrase "separation of church and state" also is NOT in the Constitution.

Oh, SILLY ME!! *slaps forehead*. You're right, its in the Bill of Rights!

However, the very concept of "law", as we know it today, is felt by many to have originated in the time of Moses and the Ten Commandments.

Which has "what" to do with anything? "Law", despite the worship many give it, is inherently evil. A totally necessary evil unfortunately, but an evil all the same.

 

[Harry]

Oh, SILLY ME!! *slaps forehead*. You're right, its in the Bill of Rights!

I'm sorry, Zorba, but it's not there, either. The phrase was actually taken from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. In it he simply references the First Amendment as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. Here's the text of the First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It simply means that there is no constitutionally recognized religion.

 

[Reen.Blom]

It's not too involved, it's usually just an 8.5"X11" sheet, folded once. And we do think green!

Recycled paper as well I guess.