Mennonite blog? What does that mean? Should I cover the whole thing in black? Get rid of any chrome bumpers or vanities like zippers? Switch to grape juice instead of wine?
I’m wondering about all this because I just saw in my site stats that some of the frequently used search terms that lead people to my site are “Mennonite blog”.
But now I feel like people are getting ripped off when they land here. I mean, really, what makes this a Mennonite blog? I feel strongly that I need to reward those seekers for their diligence. So I am compelled to do something particularly Menno-like now.
Does it count that I’ve visited the statue of Menno Simons in Friesland? It’s true, though it seems strange that a religion based on humbleness, and that maintains pride is a sin, has a statue to the founder who espoused those ideals. Isn’t that kind of vain of Mr. Menno?
It reminded me a little bit of the ostentatious mess of a church in Assisi. Good ol’ St. Francis rejects his riches, wants to have a simple natural existence and instead the church builds up an unholy heap of gold in his honour.
Of course the poor Buddha got painted with the same gilded brush. Siddharta Gautama walked away from all his princely wealth, spoke of seeking the Truth within, and yet? The world is now awash with worshipers falling in front of gold Buddhas.
Still, all of this musing brings me no closer to making this a particularly Mennonite-focused post. Maybe it would help if I raised a barn or two…But wasn’t it enough that I had to sit out the square-dancing in grade eight PE? How about that I just came back from visiting my father in the Menno Home? No. Let’s not use that one. It’s too depressing.
Here it is. The reason this is a Mennonite blog? Because I’m wearing black as I write this and I’m quite sure that I wouldn’t have to think too long to realize I’m guilty of something.
Mennonite blog? What does that mean? Well I have an answer for you. I think people have a thirst for what it’s like to have lived in a Mennonite community and the best way to find out is a firsthand retelling from someone who grew up as a Mennonite. A blog is a great way of telling this story. It’s you talking to an audience who can then respond with comments.
And now I’m about to do one of the most un-Mennonite things. I’m going to shamelessly reference my very own Mennonite blog that does that very thing: Inside The Buggy
Hey Cornelius…I had an Uncle Corny when I was a kid…we’re probably related.
And as for the shameless promotion…you’re right…we’re both being very un-Menno-like in that regard. It’s a slippery slope because everyone knows, Pride Goeth Before the Fall 🙂
Hilarious. I went to school with a few mennonites in Richmond, and it was such a shock in high school to realize our friends couldn’t come to school dances.
Yes, the hypocrisy of organized religion boggles the mind. I remember being at the Catholic service of a good friend – she had donated a sizeable amount of money beyond her usual tithing to reshingle the church roof, and her only request was that it be an anonymous donation and never revealed to anyone in or out of the church.
So what does the priest do? He immediately dishonors her request, identifying her donation and the amount, and then did not share remembrances of her or even on an appropriate spiritual sermon – instead he made money the entire centrepiece of , basically equating giving (significantly) to the church financially as the fastest path to eternal salvation at the right side of Jesus Christ.
It was absolutely disgusting. To make matters worse, at the luncheon following, this priest approached the son of the woman who died, and suggested if he would only write a cheque for $10,000 there would be a plaque put up in her honour – an idea totally abhorrent to her. He also demanded to say grace at the secular event, as if we hadn’t had enough in that tortuous service.
Oh, well, now you’ve got me started.
Spirituality is beautiful and flexible and kind; religion is not.
I wonder who of the two of us can dredge up the most and weirdest guilt? 😉