BaptistPlanet

Southern Religion

Mumbai help links

Wikipedia up-to-the-moment Mumbia entry and an Annonated Map of the attacks.

There is also India Broadcasting Network live, streaming coverage (avoid this if you suffer from PTSD), or for less superheated up-to-date coverage, visit The Lede at the New York Times.

We will add to and update this list as we discover additional resources.

November 27, 2008 Posted by baptistplanet | Help | , , , , | 1 Comment

Post-marital …

Walk a do-unto-others mile in Tom Ackerman’s shoes.

At religion dispatches he writes in
A Marriage Manifesto… Of Sorts:

I no longer recognize marriage. It’s a new thing I’m trying.

Turns out it’s fun.

Yesterday I called a woman’s spouse her boyfriend.

She says, correcting me, “He’s my husband,”
“Oh,” I say, “I no longer recognize marriage.”

The impact is obvious. I tried it on a man who has been in a relationship for years,

“How’s your longtime companion, Jill?”

“She’s my wife!”
“Yeah, well, my beliefs don’t recognize marriage.”

Fun. And instant, eyebrow-raising recognition. Suddenly the majority gets to feel what the minority feels. In a moment they feel what it’s like to have their relationship downgraded, and to have a much taken-for-granted right called into question because of another’s beliefs.

Just replace the words husband, wife, spouse, or fiancé with boyfriend, girlfriend, special friend, or longtime companion. There is a reason we needed stronger words for more serious relationships. We know it; now they can see it.

Andrew Sullivan responds:

I don’t think any heterosexual in America has really ever questioned his or her right to marry – or the expectation of social status it brings with it. This thought experiment helps jolt the mind into seeing the world through the other’s eyes. Which is rarely a bad thing.

Are you ready for that?

November 27, 2008 Posted by baptistplanet | Cultural | , , | No Comments Yet