Mazinaw Musings December 2, 2004
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Maizies seasonal farewell
by Bill Rowsome
The tail end of November with the ground unfrozen is a rare situation along the Mazinaw and I commented upon it to Maizie, my favourite lake monster, as we visited at the end of the dock.
Rare indeed it is, Laddie, and there are other strange things happening that you humans have wrought. Its not just the weather and climate you are altering.
Maizie, many things there are but I know you have your dander up about something in particular; whats in your crop now? How has the human race upset you just before this festive Christmas season?
Christmas! she snorted. What is it, a religious observance or a greedy, guzzling excuse to party? Dont answer, Laddie, for I know you arent certain. Youve been brainwashed by big business. The whole world is confused by the holiday but there is hope.
I made no answer and settled in for a tirade, knowing she would ask questions then answer them as she saw fit, and I wasnt disappointed.
Have you noticed, Laddie, the increased number of Protestant churches that are being led by the females of your species? There is a second reformation taking place that will overshadow Martin Luthers humanization of the church during the Protestant Reformation over 300 years ago.
Easy on that, Maizie. You are getting too deep into attributing more to the decline of male preachers than what it is: low wages and poor working conditions. As soon as the CAW gets them organized, there will be an upswing in the hiring. Men will be back in control of our souls again.
Laddie, forget your gender biases. Men have used religion as an excuse to wage wars since diverse beliefs emerged my belief is superior to yours and Ill prove it by killing you and that is still happening today! Give the gals their turn, and hopefully their gentler and more loving ways will restore the divine values of love, forgiveness and mercy that religions should espouse. This next reformation will come from a soft bosom and not a closed mind.
She continued, The days of men interpreting ancient parables to illustrate their beliefs are waning and blind faith in ancient foreign history no longer fully satisfies the quest for serenity in todays world. The widely illiterate congregations of yesteryear were satisfied with stories illustrated by stained glass windows and happy to personally read scriptures which they learned to do after printing was invented during the Reformation years. Now they want to reason, compare and discuss divergent views.
I was able to interrupt. Maizie, I admire your faith in us to get caught up with the times, but it is an uphill battle to refute centuries of church traditions and the male led past.
Aye, Laddie, it is, but theres a United Church in Toronto reforming itself as Progressive Christians and suggesting we forget many of the past religious procedures, and dialogue interpersonally rather than accept inherited graven images. It is becoming a trend, as was Protestantism a few short centuries ago, but this reform is being led by a woman.
Deep stuff, Maizie, and I admire your bravery to suggest such changes but I find it wise to stay away from discussions of religion and politics; they are basis for confrontation. I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas before you hibernate for the winter, but now you have upset me by making me think.
My favourite monster flipped her tail to splash me previous to diving under and murmured, Good, Laddie. Thinking is a sign of progress. Perhaps there is hope for the human race yetand A Thoughtful Christmas to you!
