Monday, September 28, 2009

Learning About Islam

Speaking of Faith is an NPR show that is often irritatingly airy-fairy but with Ramadan they've been putting out quite useful shows about the experience of ordinary Muslims in America. As an anti-religionist I of course think they're all STUPID JERKZZZ!!! but I very much like listening to people who are telling stories about the way that they live and think.

13 comments:

Another Kiwi said...

I enjoy listening to such programs as well, although it's tempered by my "WTF" reaction to dress codes and the like.
Do you think that our appreciation is due to how we think that there should be pious and nice people in the world but we are relieved it's not us?

Substance McGravitas said...

I grew up with a family lurching through fits-and-starts churchiness, so some of the "do this because it's what you do" is familiar in a nostalgic way.

I also tend to think of the way I behave and dress as tribal, and I try my best to notice my own herd instincts.

I don't think most of these folks are much different from me except that I can pretend to have rational justifications for doing what everyone else is doing, whereas they have the burden of faith.

herr doktor bimler said...

"do this because it's what you do"

Is it my fault that burning churches is part of my family identity?

Substance McGravitas said...

Varg Vikernes made Pharyngula. That was a surprise.

herr doktor bimler said...

Nothing said here about 'burning churches' should be read as condoning Norwegian black metal or ludicrous leather costumes.

Substance McGravitas said...

ludicrous leather costumes

A bind for the K. Beckinsalians among us.

Another Kiwi said...

In Múspellheimr, there was the divine bosom
Whilst I am appreciative of Catherine Zeta- Jones, I don't think she is the source of the universe. Why would the Welsh rugby team be so bad if she was the source, is all I'm saying

Substance McGravitas said...

Well what's Nippleheim then? Answer THAT.

herr doktor bimler said...

A bind for the K. Beckinsalians among us.

That was not a veiled reference, nor in any way connected with a Freudian slip, which I am only wearing in preparation for a fancy-dress party.* That's how we celebrate Beckinsalia in NZ.

* I have decided to use 'Vexatious Litigant' as my drag name.

Another Kiwi said...

Well what's Nippleheim then? Answer THAT
In teh Norse legends, weapons are named.
Nippleheim was the divine bosom nipple clamp. It doesn't say who owned it.
I will be wearing a simple white Ballgown for Beckinsalia and will be known as Vixen La Boom Boom. Classy yet a hint of naughtiness.

fish said...

It doesn't say who owned it.

I own it now. But only when my wife orders me to wear it to work.

mikey said...

The second* most annoying thing about NPR is the ridiculously high percentage of programming with a religious topic.

Being a helpless joiner, I'm working on a costume for Beckinsalia, even though I'm not only in the wrong country, I'm once again in the wrong freaking HEMISPHERE.

I'm thinking of something using some old black fishnet stockings, ALICE gear and a speedo, along with a Steyr AUG** and a couple of Flash-Bangs (get it?).

* The most annoying thing is Cokie Roberts.

** The gayest assault rifle ever produced.

Substance McGravitas said...

The second* most annoying thing about NPR is the ridiculously high percentage of programming with a religious topic.

The podcast allows you to escape that, but strangely, I opt in.