What is this world coming to?!

                 I really appreciate Professor Harris’ take on violence in the media for she settled common misconceptions. The example she gave of CSI NY’s 2009-2010 season and the actual homicide rate in Manhattan at that time being 59 and the homicide rate as revealed by the series was 108. This is obviously a huge overemphasis of murders in this particular region. What I took out of this was the fact that the news constantly reveals the horrible nature of society, and it always made me wonder what the difference is, in terms of violence, between today’s society and society of the near and distant past. Every time I watch the news, namely CP24 (who really overemphasizes violence and crime), my mother and my grandmother cannot believe their eyes for, as discussed in lecture, believe that crime and violence is abnormal, which is interesting for these elements are prevalent in all societies, never mind the society in which it takes place, the time period, and so on.

                My grandmother is constantly appalled, scared and disgusted by the violence which is portrayed by the news daily. After being enlightened by my peers in high school of the exaggerated  reports of acts of violence by news networks, I was determined to make it clear to my family members that the news overstates crimes in order to gain viewership. A common statement which is said by my family members and I am sure others can relate to this is, “What is this world coming to?” Crime was and is present in all societies and civilizations since the beginning of mankind. It is their job for news channels to stress the occurrences of crime so that it can shock and therefore captivate audiences to tune-in to their channels regularly. When Professor Harris exposed the fact that the murder rate keeps getting closer to a rate as low as one in the 1960s is very important in understanding the basis of my argument. Violence is constantly studied and reported by scholars and the media which ultimately increases the curiosity and viewership of the audience.

Response to my blog, “Can we REALLY say that sports are religious?”

                 Reading both Josh and Kathleen’s responses to my assertions, I definitely agree with their counterarguments. I will begin with Josh’s arguments against my suppositions. I definitely believe you are right in your example of Buddhism not possessing a “Higher Being” and thus not everything needs a God, including sports. Sports to me are a material thing, matter, physical event which are partaken by athletes. Religions on the other hand are immaterial, something abstract, beyond this world and beyond humanity. Although you provide an interesting example of Buddhism, Buddhism is a belief system, a religion which is beyond this material world, although not possessing a “Higher Being,” a valid religious experience, something quite different than experiencing sport.

                In my opinion, it is important to note the fact that by utilizing the term “religious,” one directly finds parallels to religion; this term is most often coined through the experience of religion. Obviously, the term “religious” comes from the term “religion” and therefore, one cannot separate actual, institutionalized religion from the use of the term religious.

                An important counterargument that I found intriguing was your statement that sport does incorporate and reflect morals and values such as the rewards for hard work and the need to sacrifice in order to achieve greatness. To me, these values could not exist if religion had not influenced the importance of them and reveal how to perform these acts. As you have stated, values can very much be instilled in sports, but it could not only be present in sports but can be on television, literature, music and most definitely in religion. The sole purpose of sport is to entertain whereas religion is to purposely influence this moral behaviour.

                Moreover, in response to Kathleen’s post, I feel that you are definitely right in presenting the importance of personal experience in respect to the discussion of sports and religion. Your personal experience is awful and depressing, but it provides a valid example of the importance of personal experience and sports. You have helped me find it incredibly important to highlight personal experience when discussing such a topic. Everyone’s experience of religion is different and everyone’s experience of sport is different as well. Being completely consumed in a particular sport or various sports can certainly make one’s life as a reflection of the sport, however, in my personal experience of sports, I cannot relate to that relationship. Mind you, I have not had such a powerful relationship with sport as you claim to have, but I did have a relatively strong one. I danced, played soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, lacrosse, all recreationally and the majority of them in teams. They were a personal form of exercise, venting, and they created my own personal identity as being athletic. It is interesting to see how many experience different forms of sport uniquely, but I see your experience as a truth to your statement of sport being religious.

                To conclude, without any understanding or presence of religion, one can clearly not relate sports, television shows, music, literature, etc., as religious. One is simply applying the concept of religion and religious experience to sport and other activities, and it is important to note this. It is very intriguing to compare different types of religious experience, whether it is through an actual religion or through other activities.

Can we REALLY say sports are religious?

             As discussed in lecture on Tuesday, all sports are followed by many who experience them as a form of worship. Sports are a different type of experience, which can be unexplainable. The economics of sports reveal alone the incredible popularity of certain sports and sport teams and the foundations’ income as a result of immense patronage. As discussed in lecture, there can only be great revenue and popularity if there is commitment from the fans. It is most obvious that without the fans, the large revenue and even the existence of the teams would be impossible. The question is, how do fans experience sports? Well, to start, one must discuss the three main functions of religion which are:

·         Social

·         Hermeneutic

·         Transcendence

There are certain rites of the game which is not limited to just one sport, which reveals Its social qualities such as chanting, the wave, etc. Also, fans are all conjugated within the stadiums which also highlights the social aspect of the game. Do sports give meaning? Some envision sports as life. It is easy to see how one can incorporate sports into their lives. If fans place such an emphasis on sports in their lives and the possible religious experience it pertains, it would be interesting to see the religious effects of sports in the lives of the players. So, can we really say that sports are religious? What similar characteristics do sports and religion possess?

·         Emotions are identical

·         Religious experience is beyond reason

·         Legacy , rooted in tradition

·         Conversion

·         Symbolism

·         Piety

It is incredibly intriguing to see how some live sport as if it is religion. The parallels between sports and religion are fundamental in observing how Christianity plays an essential part in popular culture, but I do not personally believe that sports can really be religious. Comparing both of these entities is interesting to me, only for comparisons’ sake. To me, sport cannot be religious because there is no presence of God—no presence of a Higher Being and a Creator. Also, there is no promise of life after death, nor are there morals and values which are implemented by sports. After all, sports are just a game which are played between players who get paid millions to what some/most of us do in our spare time.

Response to Leah's "Athletes and the Fall From Grace"

            Leah, you bring about an excellent point about how fans should try to refrain from idealizing players for it can only lead to disappointment. I enjoyed the fact that you had revealed two baseball players and their, as you have stated, “fall from grace.” I was unfamiliar with the scandals of Alex Rodriguez and Josh Hamilton for I do not follow baseball, but I am glad you had shed some light on how athletes can prove to be great disappointments to their very fans. I personally dislike it when athletes, singers, actors, etc., have scandals for it is unfair to their fans for they provide a bad example to them. Athletes are to have the mindset of being good role models for the youth for they are, in certain cases, the most influential figures in the lives of the youth. I understand your supposition and agree with it fully that athletes are only human and that we should hold them to a standard of role models and that advancing them to a higher level will surely disappoint their fans. Worshipping athletes and positioning them at a higher level is not only bad for the fans but also bad for the players. The reason in which this may be bad for the players is because it can make them seem as someone they are not—gods.

Personally, worship is too strong a word to be used towards the passion one feels about an athlete and a sports team. To categorize athletes as “gods” to me sounds ridiculous—and this can be the problem with athletes and the way they see themselves; athletes can take performance-inducing drugs in order to obviously perform better, and to fulfill the image that their fans place upon them. Athletes have to live up to the reputation and expectations their fans give them and the maybe the only possible way to live up to this is by taking these drugs for it can be humanly impossible to perform by those standards. I think it was very interesting for you to discuss this issue for it is very open-ended and there is no definite answer. After all, athletes are only human, and they are to live their lives, but with obvious limitations.

What makes a band a Christian band?

What elements does a band have to possess which would characterize it as a Christian band? I would like to think that a band would have to explicitly express Christian elements in both their lyrics and dress. I do not think it is enough to have just one or two songs which represent Christianity. A band must possess countless amounts of songs (actually, all of them) which manifest Christian themes. What are suitable themes that a band can discuss? Sinfulness, forgiveness, redemption, absolutely anything which draws parallels to Christian stories and doctrine. What was really interesting on Tuesday’s lecture was the fact that Justin Bieber for example, was discussed having Christian elements in his song “Pray.” Christianity seems to be relevant in popular music which is quite intriguing. When I thought of Christian bands, I conceptualized bands which appear on the Simpsons—boring, unpopular, and out-of-date. I was pleased to be presented with Christian rock bands such as Petra (which to me best fits the category of my former assumption), Switchfoot and U2. I find it stimulating the fact that well-known bands such as Switchfoot and U2 started in the Christian rock scene.

There was a song that was analyzed in class by Switchfoot named, "I dare you to move." It was recognized as having Christian elements and the lyric that was most emphasized and which stuck out to me was, “I dare you to move” which signals one’s redemption; this quotation highlights that. It prompts one to start doing something about their salvation instead of living life mindlessly. What I find problematic about this however, is the fact that this quotation can be applied to anything. “I dare you to move” can be a source of encouragement to those who are not doing what they want in life or what they should. These lyrics can be interpreted in any way, whereas “Until the End of the World” by U2 proves to be explicitly Christian and cannot be interpreted other than reflecting Christianity. So, my question to you is, what makes a band “Christian”? What does this imply? And how does one determine how a band is Christian?

Here is an interesting site which has the Top Christian Music: http://topchristianmusicsongs.com/

Commenting on Kathleen's Post, "Finding Positive Pop Icon Role Models (Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack) "

                 Kathleen, you bring about a great point which, after hearing our class discussion in lecture on Tuesday, I feel strongly about. I do not understand the problem many have with Justin Bieber and why they possess hatred towards him. He is a seventeen year old singer from Stratford of all places, who is self-taught and very talented. As you have said, he is not a figure that is meant to woo us; he is a model for teenagers and even young children so for an adult to criticize his methods and himself is unfounded. Bieber’s audience is intended to consist of individuals of this age group and for adults to pass judgement on him in unfair.

                Furthermore, examining his music video for the song “Pray,” shows how as you have stated, he is trying to raise awareness amongst both the young and adults about world issues which is extremely important for artists and celebrities to do these days. For inspirational figures not to do what Bieber does in this sense, is a waste for they have the power, capability and audience to do something important such as he. Bieber not only manifests Christian values, but values that are dominant throughout all religions.

                A fellow peer had presented the statement that Justin Bieber clearly chose to show his visitations amongst hospital patients for he is wanting to raise the numbers of viewership and fans. This can be seen in many stars today such as Brett Michaels in his show, “Life as I know it” where in one episode he visited children at a hospital and spoke with them as a group and took pictures. Stars such as he do not only do this for publicity but to actually help children and put a smile on their face. Michaels, being in the music industry for decades does not really need much publicity anymore per se, but partakes in acts such as these to help his fans when they are in a time of need. For what is the point in being a rock star if you cannot help those who are your very fans.

                Moreover, this colleague gave suggestions on what Bieber could have done and showed in his video such as visit soldiers in Afghanistan. I was informed by my sister who had seen Bieber’s film, “Never Say Never” on how a scene in the film composed of Bieber telling others how his life is busy and how he has only seen his little brother like 3 times (do not quote me). Clearly, if he cannot see his infant brother as much as he’d like to, for him to partake in such acts as visiting soldiers in Afghanistan seems impossible due to his high demand throughout the world.

                To conclude, Justin Bieber is definitely a better figure than most singers/rappers out there as you have outlined. He has no previous scandals, and seems to be an innocent teenager in interviews and on-stage. In terms of the themes of the music video “Pray,” Bieber did not have to include his visitations to hospitals, but could have included scenes of him performing in concerts and having young girls cry out to him and talk about how amazing he is. After all, he is only a teenager and he is doing more than most singers and rap artists out there have done in their whole careers.

Please check out these songs which are clearly offensive and touch upon the sexuality of women (not good role model material). 

I Feel Like Dying - Lil' Wayne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuyEgvCVYd8

Ride With the Mack - Lil' Wayne Featuring Mack Maine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkGTiHDnWA4

Drop The World - Lil' Wayne Featuring Eminem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z79GSpv7_As

Get Crazy - LMFAO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSYViclto1w

I Am Not a Whore - LMFAO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmiKCBOvVPA&feature=fvst

(The fact that Lil’ Wayne has tear tattoos on his face is disturbing and can definitely influence his fans to participate in those actions which they represent).

Twilight Characters Manifesting the Saviour Mode

One of, if not my favourite novels is the Twilight Saga. I know many people have developed a hatred for Twilight but I definitely suggest reading it. I absolutely love the saga but had developed somewhat of a hatred (until New Moon) for the films for they are an injustice to the novels. Anyways, when I think of a Christ figure in film, or someone who is the closest to a Christ figure, I think of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

As discussed in lecture, there are two modes of Christic representation, and they are the Saviour mode and the Redeemer mode. I find both of these characters as manifesting the Saviour mode for reasons which will be further discussed.  Edward Cullen can most obviously represent a Christ figure and manifests the Saviour mode for he takes extreme caution to protect Bella Swan from everything possible. He constantly rescues her from dangers and liberates her from her tedious and uneventful life. He is a wonderful example of a Christ figure for he is a saviour for Bella.

Moreover, Bella Swan represents a Christ figure and displays the Saviour mode. She liberates Edward Cullen from himself and shows him a life that he never knew could ever exist; he likewise does the same for her. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan both exhibit the Saviour and Redeemer mode, but the Saviour mode is definitely more identifiable.