[Noisebridge-discuss] [Build] 2169 shrine
Jason Dusek
jason.dusek at gmail.com
Fri Aug 28 07:17:45 UTC 2009
2009/08/27 Rachel McConnell <rachel at xtreme.com>:
> I don't want it because it is a religious object, which I feel
> has no place at Noisebridge. Even if it's Cute and Historical
> and Adds Character. Noisebridge ought to be entirely
> orthogonal to religion...
I now understand how so many of you felt when it was suggested
that the pornographic posters be removed. Pornography is an
important way of expressing your values and feeling
comfortable in a space.
Naturally, as a would-be Sinologist and folklorist, I am
greatly pleased to have an example of a living mythology in
the space; it is expressive of the deep continuity of
humanity's striving for meaning, a continuity that led me
first to the work of the Jungians and later to Buddhist
practice.
I understand that, in the value system of contemporary San
Francisco, pornography is "more righteous" (in theory if not
in practice) than images of Huang Di, Guan Yu or Lao Zi. It is
more important, however, that we consider what it says about a
Noisebridge that would streamroll the values of those members
who have given much to the study of traditional folklore (Guan
Yu is a great folk hero), martial arts (the Guan Dao is
attributed to Guan Yu) and religion (Guan Yu is a
Bodhisattva). We are no less dedicated -- no less sincere --
than those of you who feel that sex-positivity is an answer in
your life.
> ...having a shrine is either promoting or disrespecting (of
> course in a totally cute and funny way, those wacky Chinese,
> gosh that's neat!) some religion or other.
This is false dichotomy. We have at least a third option,
namely: respect.
--
Jason Dusek
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