[MR] Re: religion in the SCA

[Michael & Eileen Michaels]

Foreward:
This is my opinion not part of any rules or regulations for the SCA or
anywhere else. And is a comment on the situation in whole and not a direct
response to anyones post in any way shape or form.

Statement:

I believe that in any "public" situation, whether SCAdian or mundane, where
a mix of religions is present, your personal religious beliefs are just that
PERSONAL. I will not impose mine upon you and if you attempt to impose yours
upon me I will either walk away or politely listen just this once and not
invite you over to my house for tea...EVER.

Feel free to do all of the practicing of your religon, on your time, in a
seperate place, where I do not HAVE to watch-yes if you do it in the middle
of where the event is going on that is imposing on me because I would have
to leave the area to avoid it. If you want to hold mass(or some other
religious ceremony)during an event, summon a herald or say your own "oyey",
let everyone know that it will be held for those interested in such-and-such
pavillion, or somewhere else out of the way, at such-and-such time, so all
those who want to participate will, and all those who don't can avoid that
area at that time,(or keep on walking on the way to the event area) but
don't hold it in the middle of everything (most if not all events are held
in spacious areas where I am sure you can find an out of the way place to
hold your ceremony). Practice what you want, save the Preaching for Church.
Yes we all have our first ammendment rights, but don't use that right to be
an annoyance to others.

On PERIOD RELIGION:
we are studying and practicing history, and religion is a part of that, feel
free to make religious themed A&S projects and all of the other things
mentioned, just don't hold a period religious ceremony as part of an event
unless the "theme" of the event is "multicultural period religions" and
ceremonies of all (or most) period religions are done, and since everyone
would know ahead of time that the whole event is religious themed, anyone
objecting would know not to attend. Actually it sounds like a pretty good
idea for an event, if planned well (I can see it now, the illumination
competition for a page out of "book of hours", A&S competition for best
display of "any" period religious symbol, most unique set of runes made from
any medium) but I digress...

When I was in bartending school we were told there are three topics you
never discuss (as a bartender) or allow to be discussed(reason being it can
be overheard by others) in your bar : Politics, Religion, and Sexual
Orientation. Because everyone has their own personal beliefs and can be
seriously offended.

Don't walk on eggshells and don't change who you are to please other, but
make an attempt to look out for other people's toes, for the Toes you Step
on today may be attached to the Behinds you have to Kiss tomorrow...

And consider this...you wouldn't walk up to someone and tell them "you are
FAT and you should be THIN" or "you are Ugly and you should be Pretty" or
"you shouldnt wear your hair long  you should have it short like mine" or
"you shouldn't be in "x" proffession you should be in "y" proffession"
because it would be insulting, rude and totally none of your business to say
so , but some people feel it is ok to say "you shouldn't be "x" religion you
should be "y" religion, which If you thought about someone doing that to
you, you might realize how insulting and none of anyones business religion
is.

Afterward: once again my opinion, that is all