In spite of the cold weather, I couldn't pass the opportunity to go for a walk and take a few snapshots...
Monday, 7 January 2019
Christmas Eve in New Belgrade
Yesterday was Christmas Eve according to the old, Julian calendar. Streets of my neighbourhood were empty, and the only sounds were those of snow softly falling on the ground.
Sunday, 30 September 2018
International Podcast Day 2018
It's September 30, which in my personal calendar marks a special occasion: it's International Podcast Day!
I've been an avid podcast listener ever since I first discovered the world of podcasting. That was in the autumn of 2004, at the time when I had two jobs, and had to take long and boring daily commutes. Thanks to my first iPod, those countless hours spent in public transport - which would otherwise have been totally wasted - transformed into hours spent listening to thought-provoking interviews, exciting radio drama series, and educational programmes.
Podcasting market has since grown exponentially, with podcasts on pretty much every subject imaginable. As with YouTube channels, not all are good, and it can take time to find the ones that will really resonate with you while being at a high level of production quality. To help sift through thousands of podcasts out there, I've compiled a list of top 5 podcasts that caught my attention since last September. This is my third annual list, and since I still regularly listen to all of the podcasts I mentioned back in 2016 and 2017, do have a look at those earlier lists as well.
At the moment I'm subscribed to over seventy podcasts. Granted, I don't listen to all of them on a weekly - let alone daily - basis, but one that I make sure to follow regularly is Ideas, coming from Canada's public broadcaster. First launched in 1965, it's one of CBC Radio's flagship programmes, now available also as a podcast. It's described as a series of "documentaries in which thoughts are gathered, contexts explored, and connections made." If you're into humanities, or just have an inquisitive mind, don't miss this one.
Remember Heaven's Gate, a religious cult involved in a 1997 mass suicide? This 10-episode documentary series presents a unique insight into the workings of this group and the kind of mentality that ultimately led to thirty-nine deaths. It's a captivating story, including interviews with former members, and authentic audio material that wasn't previously publicly available.
There are loads and loads of audio lectures in podcast format, released by prominent universities. With background in Classics, I'm partial to this one. I used it as a kind of refresher course in Greek history, also curious to see how the subject is taught at Yale. Lectures are held by Prof. Donald Kagan (recorded in 2007), and are also available on YouTube, and the Open Yale Courses website, where you can download additional material. The subject matter is presented in a simple and inviting way: it's an introductory course, and you definitely needn't worry that you wouldn't be able to follow. The entire course consists of 24 lectures, each about an hour long.
And in case the name Donald Kagan doesn't ring a bell, have a look at the 2013 article on him in the Chronicle of Higher Education. He may not be to everyone's liking (ideologically speaking), but as a historian and classicist, he knows his stuff.
A treasure among podcasts. Hosted by Mark Norman, a British folklorist and researcher, affiliated with the Folklore Society and the celebrated Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. As the title indicates, the podcast - continuously running since 2016 - deals with traditions, customs and myths. Episodes include interviews with leading experts in this fascinating field. On the website, you can support Mark's work by purchasing supplementary e-zines and merchandise.
I always aim to feature at least one podcast from the Religion & Spirituality category, which continues to be one of my favourite ones. Over the years, my interests within that category have largely shifted, from more conventional onto those dealing with pagan spirituality or the paranormal. Luckily, there's a good deal of podcasts on these and related subjects, and one of the best ones is Shift Your Spirits hosted by Slade Robertson. It contains talks and interviews in which Slade and his guests address a range of topics, from spiritualism and witchcraft to wellness and astrology. There's something here for everyone who is more into, shall we say, an alternative way of looking at things.
Monday, 24 September 2018
Miško's 6th monthiversary
Last year a beloved pet of mine died, and I publicly vowed never to own a pet again. Mourning will make you say such things. I turned into a plant hoarder instead, cramming my balcony and most of the rooms in the apartment with all kinds of greenery. Without a cat to ruin all my nice things, I could finally dabble in a bit of indoor horticulture.
Sometimes too close...
Teatime is when he turns into a cuddle monster; by now those afternoon snuggles have become a well established routine.
Now, plants are wonderful as decor, and gardening itself is a perfectly satisfying hobby. However, after a while I started reconsidering my vow. First, there were some things that led me to conclude I might not be a natural born talent for gardening, after all. My once lush specimens of Fatsia japonica, pots overflowing with Hedera helix, a number of supposedly sturdy succulents - plus a few other species - within months all became but a faint memory. I'll save my experience with growing vegetables for another post. Suffice it to say that my home garden proved to be an experiment in survival of the fittest.
More importantly, I just missed having a pet. Plants cannot be a substitute; nor can humans while we're at it. There's simply a unique quality to the bond that develops between a person and his or her animal companion. And so by February, I found myself obsessively googling for dog breeds that would be suitable for a small apartment. In spite of realising that no dog breed would in fact be suitable, ever, I kept visualising my hypothetical dog, and even gave him a name (Bruno). And just when I was on the verge of getting a Boston terrier, Miško showed up.
Showed up in a Twitter feed, that is. In a long line of abysmally depressing political tweets, there were these images of a cutest little male kitten that quickly needed to be adopted.
I was in two minds for a few minutes, various lists of pros and cons flashing before my eyes. And then I simply messaged the person behind the Twitter account to check if he was still available for adoption. That was 12 June, and by the following Monday, 18 June, he was brought to my place by a woman from one of the local shelters. He was so shy and fearful; a three-month old, with impressively large ears and a long tail. And meowing incessantly while inspecting the new surroundings.
By Day 3 he was comfortable enough to sit and nap near me, but still not too keen on cuddling.
It was by the end of that first week that he started sitting on my desk, closely monitoring what I was up to, but still running away if I attempted to hold him.
Fast forward to September, and we're inseparable. I literally can't do anything without him close by.
Sometimes too close...
The only exception is when I go to bed: since I had to evacuate all my remaining plants to the bedroom (most of which happen to be toxic to cats), that one is a no-go zone for him. Unless I'm there wide awake to keep an eye on him, reading - or trying to...
Teatime is when he turns into a cuddle monster; by now those afternoon snuggles have become a well established routine.
So, that's us and our first three months together. Maybe I don't have green fingers (the plants I bought in Ikea, RIP), but I dare say I've given this little lad a good home.
P.S. A final thought, for those considering getting a pet: adopt, don't buy.
Monday, 14 May 2018
Avala revisited
After a long while, I finally got to visit Avala again. If you're unfamiliar with the geography of Serbia (or at least the wider Belgrade area), Avala is a mountain some 20 km from the Serbian capital. It feels funny to refer to it as a mountain, since it isn't exactly tall. However, it stands at 511 metres above sea level, and thus apparently does meet the technical requirement to be considered a proper mountain - by just 11 metres!
You may not notice it from that lookout point at the top of the TV tower, but one of the surrounding hills is where the Monument to the Unknown Hero is found. Not counting the tower itself, that hill also happens to be Avala's highest point.
During all the years I've lived in Belgrade, I'm ashamed to admit I've visited only a handful of times. Each one was memorable, though, and it made me want to go back there and explore some more. And there's definitely lots to do and see. Since this time I visited with family, we did a touristy thing and went to check out the two most visited spots there: the TV tower and the Monument to the Unknown Hero.
The original television tower, built in 1965, was completely destroyed in the NATO-led airstrikes in 1999. It was reconstructed and eventually reopened in 2009. It's 205 metres tall, and I don't think there's a better place for a panoramic view of Belgrade - provided it isn't cloudy as it unfortunately was at the time of my visit. Still, less than perfect weather didn't prove to be much of a deterrent for numerous visitors including hordes of unruly kids on their school trip.
 |
| Feeling slightly dizzy... |
Before the memorial complex was built there in 1938, it used to be the location of a medieval fortress Žrnov. And even before that, there was a Roman outpost. And even before that, there's evidence of mining conducted by some of the pre-Roman inhabitants of this part of the Balkans (in this case, the Celtic tribe of Scordisci). Sadly, none of that can be seen now: in order to make space for the Monument, Žrnov was razed to the ground by a royal decree in 1934, but the toponym lives on in academic papers due to numerous archaeological findings excavated there prior to the demolition. There are more fanciful explanations as to why King Alexander insisted on demolishing Žrnov, but as much as I love a good conspiracy theory, let's just leave those aside.
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| Žrnov, as seen on an old postcard (that I've stolen from the internet). |
Designed by the celebrated Croatian-Yugoslav sculptor Ivan Meštrović, the black granite monument is simple, majestic and temple-like. Approaching it always seems to me like going on a pilgrimage of sorts. It was built to commemorate soldiers fallen in the First World War as well as in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.
A wreath laid inside on behalf of the current Serbian President Vučić, commemorating victory over fascism, seemed misplaced given that the monument has no connection with WW2, nor has Mr. Vučić any political or ideological connection with anti-fascism. I guess it's just protocol.
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| "To the glory of victory over fascism" |
To me personally this monument also serves as a reminder of Yugoslavia, the country that no longer exists, but whose legacy can't be erased in spite of the onslaught of historical revisionism. Standing there, among the caryatids representing the peoples of Yugoslavia, I know exactly why I will always identify as a Yugoslav.
Apart from the nice walk from the tower to the Monument, I didn't do much of actual hiking. But now that I've figured out how to get to Avala by public transport, I'm sure to visit again soon. Next time, I'm going to venture off the beaten path...
Friday, 20 October 2017
Ceramic pan baptism of fire
Once upon a time, I swore to myself I wouldn't turn into one of those people who constantly post their lunch photos on social networks. However, autumn is here, with all its wonderful, fresh produce, and I'm very much in the mood for experimenting with new dishes and cookware. And you know what they say: if it didn't appear on social media, it didn't happen. So, here's a little report on my latest feat.
Last week I bought a dreamy, rustic ceramic pan by Tognana, from its Linea Vulcania collection. It was a bit pricey, but it was love at first sight. As I'd never used ceramic cookware before, it felt like an extra challenge.
To try it out, I decided to make a simple dish, with seasonal veggies that I already had in my kitchen, based on Giada de Laurentiis' Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and Brussels Sprouts. Actually, the name of the dish says it all - you just add olive oil, salt and herbs to the above ingredients, mix them all together, place in a pan and bake. For up to 40 minutes, said Giada. Easy peasy!
Well, for whatever reason, it took much, much longer than that. As I had to leave for a meeting, I had to turn off the oven after over an hour, and leave it all unfinished. Instead of enjoying a delicious lunch, I only had time for a quick peanut butter sandwich before I had to dash off. Frustrating business!
Once back home, I continued baking, slightly worried about what would become of it. Within an hour, my roasted potatoes were finally ready. It will take me another try or two to figure out whether baking took so impossibly long because of the pan, or the brand of potato that I used. I'm hoping for the latter, obviously, as I definitely intend to continue using this pan.
The dish itself turned out unbelievably delicious! Parsnips and carrots gave it that earthy, autumnal taste that I love so much. Equally important, nothing exploded, as ceramic ware is apparently prone to. So, I must count this as a double success - energy efficiency notwithstanding...
Last week I bought a dreamy, rustic ceramic pan by Tognana, from its Linea Vulcania collection. It was a bit pricey, but it was love at first sight. As I'd never used ceramic cookware before, it felt like an extra challenge.
 |
| Photo: tognana.com |
To try it out, I decided to make a simple dish, with seasonal veggies that I already had in my kitchen, based on Giada de Laurentiis' Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and Brussels Sprouts. Actually, the name of the dish says it all - you just add olive oil, salt and herbs to the above ingredients, mix them all together, place in a pan and bake. For up to 40 minutes, said Giada. Easy peasy!
Well, for whatever reason, it took much, much longer than that. As I had to leave for a meeting, I had to turn off the oven after over an hour, and leave it all unfinished. Instead of enjoying a delicious lunch, I only had time for a quick peanut butter sandwich before I had to dash off. Frustrating business!
Once back home, I continued baking, slightly worried about what would become of it. Within an hour, my roasted potatoes were finally ready. It will take me another try or two to figure out whether baking took so impossibly long because of the pan, or the brand of potato that I used. I'm hoping for the latter, obviously, as I definitely intend to continue using this pan.
The dish itself turned out unbelievably delicious! Parsnips and carrots gave it that earthy, autumnal taste that I love so much. Equally important, nothing exploded, as ceramic ware is apparently prone to. So, I must count this as a double success - energy efficiency notwithstanding...
Saturday, 30 September 2017
International Podcast Day 2017
Today, September 30, is the International Podcast Day. Here on Life & Letters I traditionally post a Top 5 list of podcasts I've most enjoyed listening to over the past year. While I continue to regularly listen to all of the podcasts I've singled out in 2016, I'd like to draw attention to some new titles, including those in languages other than English, namely in German and Esperanto.
The Art of Manliness
The Art of Manliness has been described as a "podcast that aims to make men become better men." Hosted by Brett McKay, it's a treasure trove of practical advice and stimulating ideas, done through interviews with acclaimed authors, researchers, athletes, and others. Some might say that the podcast promotes a bit old-fashioned notion of masculinity, but I'd say it's part of its charm. Highly recommended.
Radio Prague
I first started listening to Radio Prague back when it was a daily English language shortwave broadcast of the Czech public radio. It has since switched to online streaming and podcasts only. I think of Radio Prague as the very best of what international radio used to be, and so I always listen to it with a sense of nostalgia. Daily 30-minute podcasts typically consist of a brief news roundup, followed by interesting feature stories about the Czech culture, history, sports, etc. There's also a regular monthly quiz, with nice prizes for the lucky winners.
Fitness mit M.A.R.K.
There are several fitness podcasts I've been following, but none are as dynamic, informative and quite as motivating as this one. It's in German, and has been consistently at the top of the German iTunes list of health podcasts. It's hosted by Mark Maslow, who is also a bestselling author and a prominent speaker on the subject of training. I've found each and every episode useful, plus it provided me with another opportunity to practice my German listening skills.
Modern Witch
This one I've discovered only a few months ago, and it has definitely caught my attention. Modern Witch deals with the subject of "witchcraft, the occult and mysticism in the 21st century". Sounds cool, eh? The host, Devin Hunter, sits down with intriguing guests from all sorts of different neo-pagan and occult backgrounds, which makes for a fascinating listen.
3ZZZ Esperanto Radio
As I've been working on improving my Esperanto, listening to this podcast has been of great value. Hosted by several members of the Esperanto Association of Melbourne, each podcast includes news from the Esperanto community, contemporary music in Esperanto, and other features. When it comes to radio, this show - originally broadcast on Melbourne's local ethnic radio station 3ZZZ - is an invaluable resource for Esperantists.
To learn more about the International Podcast Day, and podcasting in general, have a look at the official IPD website.
The Art of Manliness
The Art of Manliness has been described as a "podcast that aims to make men become better men." Hosted by Brett McKay, it's a treasure trove of practical advice and stimulating ideas, done through interviews with acclaimed authors, researchers, athletes, and others. Some might say that the podcast promotes a bit old-fashioned notion of masculinity, but I'd say it's part of its charm. Highly recommended.
Radio Prague
I first started listening to Radio Prague back when it was a daily English language shortwave broadcast of the Czech public radio. It has since switched to online streaming and podcasts only. I think of Radio Prague as the very best of what international radio used to be, and so I always listen to it with a sense of nostalgia. Daily 30-minute podcasts typically consist of a brief news roundup, followed by interesting feature stories about the Czech culture, history, sports, etc. There's also a regular monthly quiz, with nice prizes for the lucky winners.
Fitness mit M.A.R.K.
There are several fitness podcasts I've been following, but none are as dynamic, informative and quite as motivating as this one. It's in German, and has been consistently at the top of the German iTunes list of health podcasts. It's hosted by Mark Maslow, who is also a bestselling author and a prominent speaker on the subject of training. I've found each and every episode useful, plus it provided me with another opportunity to practice my German listening skills.
Modern Witch
This one I've discovered only a few months ago, and it has definitely caught my attention. Modern Witch deals with the subject of "witchcraft, the occult and mysticism in the 21st century". Sounds cool, eh? The host, Devin Hunter, sits down with intriguing guests from all sorts of different neo-pagan and occult backgrounds, which makes for a fascinating listen.
3ZZZ Esperanto Radio
As I've been working on improving my Esperanto, listening to this podcast has been of great value. Hosted by several members of the Esperanto Association of Melbourne, each podcast includes news from the Esperanto community, contemporary music in Esperanto, and other features. When it comes to radio, this show - originally broadcast on Melbourne's local ethnic radio station 3ZZZ - is an invaluable resource for Esperantists.
To learn more about the International Podcast Day, and podcasting in general, have a look at the official IPD website.
Thursday, 29 September 2016
International Podcast Day 2016
It was in the autumn of 2004 that I first discovered podcasting. My first iPod has since been replaced, but I still don't go anywhere without whatever device I can play podcasts on. Whether I'm cooking, going for a long walk, shopping or commuting, it's more than likely I'll be catching up on my favourite ones. On the occasion of September 30, International Podcast Day, I'm sharing my list of top 5 podcasts I've enjoyed the most during the past year.
On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Coming from WBUR/NPR, On Point is done in the best tradition of public radio. It has been one of those shows that initially got me into listening to podcasts. It covers a range of issues, from current affairs to science and history to medicine. Each show consists of an interview conduced by Tom Ashbrook and listeners calling in, asking questions and commenting. You can count on it always being informative, concise, and up-to-date.
Beyond Belief
Beyond Belief is BBC Radio 4's flagship series on religion. Each thirty-minute episode is a panel with several experts discussing a particular subject from different angles. Topics greatly vary, and among the recent ones were Rumi, debt, pacifism, mercy, trauma, and ghosts. The show is presented by Bernie Rea, a Northern Irish theologian who's been with the BBC since the 1970s.
Inspirational Living
The full title of this podcast is Inspirational Living: Motivation, Self-help, Spirituality & Positive Thinking. Weekly episodes last up to 20 minutes and consist of a reading from an inspirational piece of writing. What I particularly like about this podcast, is that a lot of the readings are from the early 1900s, a period that I love. It just gives the whole show an air of old-time radio.
The Black Tapes
This year has been the first in which I gave radio drama a shot - it's been a format I've never particularly enjoyed. Well, until now. The Black Tapes is produced by Pacific Northwest Stories and Minnow Beats Whale (both worth checking out for other projects). So far, the show has had two seasons with another one coming up. It's a docudrama about the supernatural and the paranormal, revolving around the enigmatic figure of Dr Strand and the journalist Alex Reagan. The podcast has quite a dedicated fan base, as can be seen on the podcast's Twitter account.
The Big Seance
Speaking of the supernatural, my single biggest discovery of 2016 has been The Big Seance podcast hosted by Patrick Keller. It's the podcast for "paranerds" - a word I first heard on this show and have since adopted with gusto. Episodes consist of interviews with people who are into different aspects of the paranormal / supernatural: book authors, photographers, psychics etc. Another regular feature is Spectral Edition with Tim Prasil - a brief segment reporting on ghost sightings mentioned in the 19th and early 20th century newspapers. It's all great fun!
All of the podcasts listed here are available on iTunes (et sim.) or on the individual websites. Please share your favourite podcasts in the comment section below. And happy Podcast Day!
Coming from WBUR/NPR, On Point is done in the best tradition of public radio. It has been one of those shows that initially got me into listening to podcasts. It covers a range of issues, from current affairs to science and history to medicine. Each show consists of an interview conduced by Tom Ashbrook and listeners calling in, asking questions and commenting. You can count on it always being informative, concise, and up-to-date.
Beyond Belief
Beyond Belief is BBC Radio 4's flagship series on religion. Each thirty-minute episode is a panel with several experts discussing a particular subject from different angles. Topics greatly vary, and among the recent ones were Rumi, debt, pacifism, mercy, trauma, and ghosts. The show is presented by Bernie Rea, a Northern Irish theologian who's been with the BBC since the 1970s.
Inspirational Living
The full title of this podcast is Inspirational Living: Motivation, Self-help, Spirituality & Positive Thinking. Weekly episodes last up to 20 minutes and consist of a reading from an inspirational piece of writing. What I particularly like about this podcast, is that a lot of the readings are from the early 1900s, a period that I love. It just gives the whole show an air of old-time radio.
The Black Tapes
This year has been the first in which I gave radio drama a shot - it's been a format I've never particularly enjoyed. Well, until now. The Black Tapes is produced by Pacific Northwest Stories and Minnow Beats Whale (both worth checking out for other projects). So far, the show has had two seasons with another one coming up. It's a docudrama about the supernatural and the paranormal, revolving around the enigmatic figure of Dr Strand and the journalist Alex Reagan. The podcast has quite a dedicated fan base, as can be seen on the podcast's Twitter account.
The Big Seance
Speaking of the supernatural, my single biggest discovery of 2016 has been The Big Seance podcast hosted by Patrick Keller. It's the podcast for "paranerds" - a word I first heard on this show and have since adopted with gusto. Episodes consist of interviews with people who are into different aspects of the paranormal / supernatural: book authors, photographers, psychics etc. Another regular feature is Spectral Edition with Tim Prasil - a brief segment reporting on ghost sightings mentioned in the 19th and early 20th century newspapers. It's all great fun!
All of the podcasts listed here are available on iTunes (et sim.) or on the individual websites. Please share your favourite podcasts in the comment section below. And happy Podcast Day!
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Friday, 13 November 2015
Thursday, 12 November 2015
The brilliance of Socality Barbie
Socality is one of the recent movements within Christianity, heavily leaning on online presence. To be more precise, on a carefully crafted, aestheticised image of urban, hipster millennials in search of authentic Christian spirituality. It first took off on Instagram, where it continues to exist as a stream of landscape photographs, adventure snapshots and upbeat selfies. What initially constituted it as a movement (on the official website it's also described as a platform and a concept) was a large number of people posting selfies with the caption "I am @Socality", thus identifying with the idea behind the project.
The campaign remains about mobilizing Christians active on social media, encouraging them to form networks with the aim of "connecting churches, organizations and businesses to work together for community development." The website doesn't reveal much about the theology behind it: article 6 under Who We Are simply states that "Socality, at its foundation, is about loving God, loving people and committing to the process." It all has an emerging church feel to it. At least the rhetoric is very similar in that there's an attempt to provide space for people who would otherwise not go to church and who don't feel comfortable about the idea of organized religion, while still identifying as Christian.
However, FAQ briefly mentions that Socality leadership team is "in or under leadership in Bible-believing churches." I've found that much more telling, although it's left me wondering why this piece of information has been relegated to the proverbial small print, with no further details available. Technically, a Bible-believing church could be anything from a traditional Quaker community to the LDS Church. The only group of people who wouldn't find this reference vague at all are the evangelicals. I might be wrong, but I've come to the conclusion that Socality is basically a conservative evangelical attempt to woo the otherwise rather liberal millennials. If so, it's a clever ploy, but also very naive.
With only 178.000 followers on Instagram, Socality has been far surpassed by Socality Barbie who, at present, has 1,3 million followers, plus a steady fan base on Twitter. Who on Earth is Socality Barbie? The Guardian recently published an article about this "newest social media sensation", within its Fashion section, describing it as a parody of an impossible lifestyle - the sort of lifestyle reflected by the constant stream of images on Instagram, Tumblr and elsewhere, showing happy, healthy young people (most of them conspicuously white, but that's another subject), living the life of adventure and authenticity. Socality Barbie has been subverting the whole concept by posting the exact same kind of images, only substituting actual people with a Barbie doll and adding witty comments, exposing the largely superficial nature of (self)representation in the social media.
The Guardian article doesn't even mention the original Socality and its evangelical agenda, focusing instead entirely on Instagram as "a world of commodified hipsterdom." It does sound like a fair description of much of the social media landscape, but what does it say of religious efforts to profit from that or conform to it?
P.S. Only several days ago, Darby Cisneros, the person behind the Socality Barbie persona, announced she will be ending her Instagram presence, at the height of its popularity. The Instagram account will stay open for a while.
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Book Reviews #9
FICTION
East of the Mountains by David GutersonA story of one man's dealing with mortality in the face of a terminal illness. Planning suicide in order to preempt a more ignominious death, the main character goes on a journey through the verdant landscapes of Pacific Northwest. The epic-sounding title, however, positions his suicide mission within the bigger and delicately suggested narrative of (religious?) hope in the midst of the perceived lack of personal agency. As in his other novels, Guterson's prose is evocative and gentle, conveying both the sense of frailty of the human condition and the indomitable power of the spirit.
NON-FICTION
Wilderness Seasons: Life and Adventure in Canada's North by Ian and Sally Wilson
FICTION
Quaker Indictment by Irene Allen
Another in Allen's series of Quaker-themed crime novels. Elizabeth Elliot, an elderly Quaker with a propensity for encountering gruesome acts of crime in the most unlikely places, solves another mystery thanks to her power of deduction and devout allegiance to Quaker ethics. Sweet.
NON-FICTION
Antigone's Claim by Judith Butler
One of the leading contemporary theorists revisits Sophocles' Antigone and presents her analysis of the complex intersection of gender, kinship, custom and ethics. Not so much a treatise on Antigone per se, the book is a continuation of gender theories introduced in her earlier works. In a nutshell: power structures and norms function only as long as individual human beings consent to them, there is nothing foreordained and cut-in-stone about them. Plus: universal is actually pseudo and the "genuine" is never really genuine.
FICTION
Fisherman's Son by Michael KoepfMonday, 9 March 2009
On why I love Leviticus
I recently had an email exchange with a friend over the Book of Leviticus. He suggested I should post some extracts from my email here. Thanks for your comments, Ken.
You wondered why I consider Leviticus one my favorite books of the Bible. Couple of reasons. I am still a historian at heart and I find Leviticus extremely rich in historical data on the Jewish society of the period, their fears, frustrations, attitudes to physical and mental purity, understanding of expiation, attitude towards different classes within the society, etc. Much of what we know about the Greek society has also been extracted from its laws preserved on stone monuments. It can be quite tedious to read legal documents, ancient or modern for that matter, but I have come to appreciate them for the abundance of details they provide on the inner workings of a system. I don't come from a fundamentalist background, so I have personally never experienced cultural conditioning that would attempt to implement OT legal strictures today. I feel free to read Leviticus as it is. And when actually placed in its proper context of mid-1st millennium BCE Mediterranean, it is quite progressive in comparison with the legislation found elsewhere in the region.
[Leviticus] is a collection of ancient documents that cannot (and, really, does not need to) compete with modern science or withstand its scrutiny. Fundamentalist religion does need to do these things, but that's a self-imposed race against both time and common sense. I see the Bible standing as a silent witness to their folly. The Bible actually does make sense when read contextually, and the more seemingly tedious or backward a text is, the more sensible and meaningful it becomes when put in its historical and social context. In that sense, Leviticus is firmly grounded in a particular time period and gives a vivid portrayal of the people, whereas some other books or narratives within them do not. The creation narratives, a lot of the Psalms, Job and some other are timeless and universal. Leviticus, being a legal code, is very specific and grounded in time. While it may not have the poetic beauty of some of the other texts, it is still invaluable.
You wondered why I consider Leviticus one my favorite books of the Bible. Couple of reasons. I am still a historian at heart and I find Leviticus extremely rich in historical data on the Jewish society of the period, their fears, frustrations, attitudes to physical and mental purity, understanding of expiation, attitude towards different classes within the society, etc. Much of what we know about the Greek society has also been extracted from its laws preserved on stone monuments. It can be quite tedious to read legal documents, ancient or modern for that matter, but I have come to appreciate them for the abundance of details they provide on the inner workings of a system. I don't come from a fundamentalist background, so I have personally never experienced cultural conditioning that would attempt to implement OT legal strictures today. I feel free to read Leviticus as it is. And when actually placed in its proper context of mid-1st millennium BCE Mediterranean, it is quite progressive in comparison with the legislation found elsewhere in the region.
[Leviticus] is a collection of ancient documents that cannot (and, really, does not need to) compete with modern science or withstand its scrutiny. Fundamentalist religion does need to do these things, but that's a self-imposed race against both time and common sense. I see the Bible standing as a silent witness to their folly. The Bible actually does make sense when read contextually, and the more seemingly tedious or backward a text is, the more sensible and meaningful it becomes when put in its historical and social context. In that sense, Leviticus is firmly grounded in a particular time period and gives a vivid portrayal of the people, whereas some other books or narratives within them do not. The creation narratives, a lot of the Psalms, Job and some other are timeless and universal. Leviticus, being a legal code, is very specific and grounded in time. While it may not have the poetic beauty of some of the other texts, it is still invaluable.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Bible meet correction tape dispenser
Couple of days ago I finished my grand project of 2008. I can now say that I have actually read the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It was a great quest, one that has left me with even more questions than I had initially. (I took that as a good sign.)
Apart from having a better grasp of the Bible, the most important lesson I have learned is that very often translators simply cannot be trusted. Being a translator myself the notion hardly surprised me: innocent mistakes are made and personal judgments are often wrong. But for some reason I expected the Bible translators to subscribe to particularly high standards, unattainable to us mere mortals, the Bible being sacred writ and all. For instance, one would normally not expect to find bits and pieces deliberately mistranslated for the purpose of turning the Bible into a weapon in the ongoing culture wars. Right?
I started with this project in the spring and for that purpose I had bought the lovely designed English Standard Version (ESV) Journaling Bible. I have blogged about this edition earlier, uncritically and with some naivete. I still love it for its extra wide margins for personal journal entries and, more importantly, for the way it reads. Anyone used to the language of the Revised Standard Version or its celebrated ancestor, the King James Version, is likely to be happy with the ESV. Others might complain that its English sounds a bit unnatural and awkward. However, that is a matter of personal taste resulting from being steeped into a particular tradition.
But then came the famous "clobber passages" and the infamous insertion of words, phrases and concepts that simply are not there in the original languages. Basically, depending on where they (or, rather, their financiers) stand, translators will resort to pretty much anything to prove their ideological point. I am not being fair to real translators. People behind the ESV were involved in an adaptation, not translation. Besides, most of them are not known to be linguists of experts in Hebrew or Greek to begin with. It does say that it is merely an adaptation in the book itself, in the proverbial small print that I initially failed to notice, where it is stated that the text of the ESV is adapted from the Revised Standard Version, an earlier translation considered too liberal by some and now made new and improved for the conservative evangelical audience.
The realization made me angry at first. I even entertained the thought of getting rid of the ESV altogether and starting afresh with a different and more reliable version. But I persevered, because at some point the editors' biased choice of words stopped being relevant. The Book and I have had months and months of shared experiences behind us. I read from it every morning before going to work and every night before going to bed. I had it with me on my journeys, I continue to write notes and comments on its carefully studied pages... When I turn to, say, Nehemiah chapter 5 I instantly get the image of a crisp early morning at the seaside where I first read from the prophet. It is too late now: there are factors of shared history and emotional attachment involved. It has become mine.
After a while I figured out how to live with its shortcomings: by liberating it from its re-writers' political agenda with a little help from the texts in the original languages and a humble correction tape dispenser. I am absolutely positive that my intention is by no means more blasphemous (if at all) than the numerous textual interventions done by the "translators." Besides, the letter killeth and the spirit giveth life.
Apart from having a better grasp of the Bible, the most important lesson I have learned is that very often translators simply cannot be trusted. Being a translator myself the notion hardly surprised me: innocent mistakes are made and personal judgments are often wrong. But for some reason I expected the Bible translators to subscribe to particularly high standards, unattainable to us mere mortals, the Bible being sacred writ and all. For instance, one would normally not expect to find bits and pieces deliberately mistranslated for the purpose of turning the Bible into a weapon in the ongoing culture wars. Right?
I started with this project in the spring and for that purpose I had bought the lovely designed English Standard Version (ESV) Journaling Bible. I have blogged about this edition earlier, uncritically and with some naivete. I still love it for its extra wide margins for personal journal entries and, more importantly, for the way it reads. Anyone used to the language of the Revised Standard Version or its celebrated ancestor, the King James Version, is likely to be happy with the ESV. Others might complain that its English sounds a bit unnatural and awkward. However, that is a matter of personal taste resulting from being steeped into a particular tradition.
But then came the famous "clobber passages" and the infamous insertion of words, phrases and concepts that simply are not there in the original languages. Basically, depending on where they (or, rather, their financiers) stand, translators will resort to pretty much anything to prove their ideological point. I am not being fair to real translators. People behind the ESV were involved in an adaptation, not translation. Besides, most of them are not known to be linguists of experts in Hebrew or Greek to begin with. It does say that it is merely an adaptation in the book itself, in the proverbial small print that I initially failed to notice, where it is stated that the text of the ESV is adapted from the Revised Standard Version, an earlier translation considered too liberal by some and now made new and improved for the conservative evangelical audience.
The realization made me angry at first. I even entertained the thought of getting rid of the ESV altogether and starting afresh with a different and more reliable version. But I persevered, because at some point the editors' biased choice of words stopped being relevant. The Book and I have had months and months of shared experiences behind us. I read from it every morning before going to work and every night before going to bed. I had it with me on my journeys, I continue to write notes and comments on its carefully studied pages... When I turn to, say, Nehemiah chapter 5 I instantly get the image of a crisp early morning at the seaside where I first read from the prophet. It is too late now: there are factors of shared history and emotional attachment involved. It has become mine.
After a while I figured out how to live with its shortcomings: by liberating it from its re-writers' political agenda with a little help from the texts in the original languages and a humble correction tape dispenser. I am absolutely positive that my intention is by no means more blasphemous (if at all) than the numerous textual interventions done by the "translators." Besides, the letter killeth and the spirit giveth life.
Friday, 21 November 2008
Quarterly Book Reviews #8
FICTION
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
A perfect book for those chilly late autumn evenings. It's a wonderful story of faith, hope and opportunity for mercy in the midst of family tragedy. I seldom write notes in the books I read, but while reading this one I had to have a pencil and post-its at hand. One of my favorite sentences: "...exile is a country of shifting borders, hard to quit yet hard to endure, no matter how wide your shoulders, no matter your toughened heart." Enger is now officially one of my favourite authors.
RELIGION
The Holy Wild by Mark Buchanan
Walk with God can be, and often is, a troubling affair. Prayers go unanswered, the whole world seems to conspire against you, there are dangers and difficulties regardless of one's piety and devotion. Buchanan writes about experiencing God in the midst of hardship and heartache, explaining that the God of Judeo-Christianity is both unpredictable and dangerous on one hand, loving and faithful on the other. For those struggling with the eternal question of why would a good God allow bad things to happen, this book may provide some insights.
RELIGION
The Pietists, edited by Emilie Griffin and Peter C. Erb
Does the name Jacob Spener sound familiar? August Hermann Francke? Johann Anastasius Freylingausen? Probably not, yet those are some of the leading people of an influential spiritual movement of the 17th and 18th century Christianity, known today as Pietism. It's surprising how little we know of them today. Placing emphasis on one's personal relationship with God, they heavily influenced Wesley and the nascent Methodist movement. They seem to be the first ones who came up with the idea of Bible study groups. This collection serves as a reminder on the origins of some of the beliefs and practices that contemporary Christianity takes for granted, but which were quite revolutionary at the time.
BIOGRAPHY
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Chris McCandless had a burning wish to abandon a life of materialism, meaningless college diplomas and dehumanizing 9-5 jobs. The wish became a journey of a lifetime that ultimately led him to Alaskan wilderness where he tragically died. Krakauer has done a superb job investigating McCandless' enigmatic personality and narrating his heartbreaking story. Makes you question your ideals and how far you're ready to go in pursuit of happiness. Inspirational and cautionary.
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
A perfect book for those chilly late autumn evenings. It's a wonderful story of faith, hope and opportunity for mercy in the midst of family tragedy. I seldom write notes in the books I read, but while reading this one I had to have a pencil and post-its at hand. One of my favorite sentences: "...exile is a country of shifting borders, hard to quit yet hard to endure, no matter how wide your shoulders, no matter your toughened heart." Enger is now officially one of my favourite authors.
RELIGION
The Holy Wild by Mark Buchanan
Walk with God can be, and often is, a troubling affair. Prayers go unanswered, the whole world seems to conspire against you, there are dangers and difficulties regardless of one's piety and devotion. Buchanan writes about experiencing God in the midst of hardship and heartache, explaining that the God of Judeo-Christianity is both unpredictable and dangerous on one hand, loving and faithful on the other. For those struggling with the eternal question of why would a good God allow bad things to happen, this book may provide some insights.
RELIGION
The Pietists, edited by Emilie Griffin and Peter C. Erb
Does the name Jacob Spener sound familiar? August Hermann Francke? Johann Anastasius Freylingausen? Probably not, yet those are some of the leading people of an influential spiritual movement of the 17th and 18th century Christianity, known today as Pietism. It's surprising how little we know of them today. Placing emphasis on one's personal relationship with God, they heavily influenced Wesley and the nascent Methodist movement. They seem to be the first ones who came up with the idea of Bible study groups. This collection serves as a reminder on the origins of some of the beliefs and practices that contemporary Christianity takes for granted, but which were quite revolutionary at the time.
BIOGRAPHY
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Chris McCandless had a burning wish to abandon a life of materialism, meaningless college diplomas and dehumanizing 9-5 jobs. The wish became a journey of a lifetime that ultimately led him to Alaskan wilderness where he tragically died. Krakauer has done a superb job investigating McCandless' enigmatic personality and narrating his heartbreaking story. Makes you question your ideals and how far you're ready to go in pursuit of happiness. Inspirational and cautionary.
Friday, 29 August 2008
Carbon Calculator
PETA has recently launched a new carbon calculator that projects how many animals and how much CO2 you will save during your lifetime based on your age and diet (apparently, 12880 animals will live thanks to me!). You can try it here.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Six miles a Sunday
Having got used to spending all those calories at the seaside over the previous month, I had to think of something new to do back home. I hate team sports, running and/or jogging scare me as I think I'm on the verge of a heart attack each time I jog for more than sixty seconds... So I took up walking! I thought, could anything possibly be more unassuming than that?
Actually, try googling "walking" and you'll soon be overwhelmed with all the resources available online on what kind of shoes you're supposed to wear, how fast you should walk, what is the ideal arm movement, what to eat and drink before, during and after your walking session... Most of these tips are just plain common sense. Take this one for example, found on About.com's Walking section: Your eyes should focus on the street or track 10 - 20 feet ahead. You'll avoid doggy doo-doo, find cracks in the sidewalk, spot potential muggers, and still collect the occasional coin.
What I decided to do was simply walk as much as I can, whenever I can. This newly established routine is, for one, definitely changing how I see the neighbourhood and the city I live in. There's more attention to detail, in that I now notice so many things that were previously just blurs, semi consciously perceived from the public transport I normally use. A thirty-minute bus ride to church on a Sunday morning has transformed into a wonderful 90-minute, 6-mile walk through parts of the city I had previously rarely ventured into. Now it's turned into a pilgrimage of sorts.
And, of course, there's Thoreau and his sauntering in Concord (this is a saunterer's journal, after all!). Even though my walking gear is probably all wrong, as well as my posture and my eating habits, I think he would have approved.
Actually, try googling "walking" and you'll soon be overwhelmed with all the resources available online on what kind of shoes you're supposed to wear, how fast you should walk, what is the ideal arm movement, what to eat and drink before, during and after your walking session... Most of these tips are just plain common sense. Take this one for example, found on About.com's Walking section: Your eyes should focus on the street or track 10 - 20 feet ahead. You'll avoid doggy doo-doo, find cracks in the sidewalk, spot potential muggers, and still collect the occasional coin.
What I decided to do was simply walk as much as I can, whenever I can. This newly established routine is, for one, definitely changing how I see the neighbourhood and the city I live in. There's more attention to detail, in that I now notice so many things that were previously just blurs, semi consciously perceived from the public transport I normally use. A thirty-minute bus ride to church on a Sunday morning has transformed into a wonderful 90-minute, 6-mile walk through parts of the city I had previously rarely ventured into. Now it's turned into a pilgrimage of sorts.
And, of course, there's Thoreau and his sauntering in Concord (this is a saunterer's journal, after all!). Even though my walking gear is probably all wrong, as well as my posture and my eating habits, I think he would have approved.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
On Balaam's donkey and untrodden paths
About a month ago I decided to read the entire Bible from page 1. I've always thought I knew my Bible well, but the fascinating thing about it is that no matter how many times you've read a certain chapter or a passage, there will always be something new there that you somehow failed to register before. Such a feat was an excellent excuse for shopping, so I got myself a new Bible, the handsomely designed ESV Journaling version, and a pack of highlighters, just in case.
What I've found so far is that reading its books in their entirety gives a whole different feel to it. By doing so, you can't just cherry pick your favourite passages and dwell in their safety. There's plenty more to see and hear on the less familiar sections of the path, scenes both wonderful and gruesome.
One story that I don't think I had ever come across before is the one on Balaam's donkey and the angel, found in the Book of Numbers (22:22-35). In it, rather uncharacteristically for the Bible, animals have unhindered communication with both men and angels. The donkey argues and reasons with Balaam and unlike him, has the ability to see celestial beings. I found it quite an extraordinary story. It made me wonder what is it that my cat stares at every once in a while, all focused on a seeming presence in the room that I fail to perceive with any of my senses.
One more thing I got out from all this: I went jogging last Friday afternoon. It was such a miserable day, cold, foggy, drizzly... Actually, I loved it, it was perfect for jogging (and very much in line with my state of mind at the time). I was running a very familiar and safe route, when suddenly something made me abandon it and continue on a narrow path leading away from the concrete and the urban hustle and bustle. It was a semi-conscious decision, but I was so glad I made it. It was so good to feel the grass under my feet, touch the trees in passing as I ran by them, and come home all wet and muddy.
How biblical of me not do to the predictable thing for once.
What I've found so far is that reading its books in their entirety gives a whole different feel to it. By doing so, you can't just cherry pick your favourite passages and dwell in their safety. There's plenty more to see and hear on the less familiar sections of the path, scenes both wonderful and gruesome.
One story that I don't think I had ever come across before is the one on Balaam's donkey and the angel, found in the Book of Numbers (22:22-35). In it, rather uncharacteristically for the Bible, animals have unhindered communication with both men and angels. The donkey argues and reasons with Balaam and unlike him, has the ability to see celestial beings. I found it quite an extraordinary story. It made me wonder what is it that my cat stares at every once in a while, all focused on a seeming presence in the room that I fail to perceive with any of my senses.
One more thing I got out from all this: I went jogging last Friday afternoon. It was such a miserable day, cold, foggy, drizzly... Actually, I loved it, it was perfect for jogging (and very much in line with my state of mind at the time). I was running a very familiar and safe route, when suddenly something made me abandon it and continue on a narrow path leading away from the concrete and the urban hustle and bustle. It was a semi-conscious decision, but I was so glad I made it. It was so good to feel the grass under my feet, touch the trees in passing as I ran by them, and come home all wet and muddy.
How biblical of me not do to the predictable thing for once.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Quarterly Book Reviews #7
RELIGION
Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip YanceyIt's one of those books I never thought I'd read. Yancey is an evangelical, while I'm... Let's say, of slightly different persuasion. Anyway, my preconception was that pretty much all evangelical authors are Bible-thumping fundamentalists preaching the gospel of fire and brimstone. And I was quite wary of Yancey in particular, given his prominent status among the religious conservatives. Somebody left a copy of this book in my church library couple of months ago and I'm glad I eventually gave it a chance. Fundamentalist or not, I found Yancey a caring, sensitive and compassionate author. As I was reading the book, it felt like I was being listened to by him, rather than the other way around. Peculiar and rare quality. One thing that needs to be said: people looking for simple and straightforward answers won't find them in this book (which is only a plus).
FICTION
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef PenneySet in a remote corner of Canadian icy-cold wilderness, it was a nice distraction from yet another bland Belgrade winter. It is somewhat difficult to define its genre, as there's a bit of everything thrown in there: history, romance, crime, mystery, even an anachronistic coming-out narrative that seems very late 20th-century for a novel set in the 1800s. Still, it all holds quite well together.
FICTION
Moral Disorder by Margaret AtwoodSpeaking of Canada, here's another piece of literary Canadiana, and also another book defying usual genre classification. It can be seen as a collection of short stories, or as a novel consisting of rather loosely connected chapters (I have to admit that it was only once I was halfway through the book that I realised it's the same character she's writing about). Either way, it really is Atwood at her very finest as it says on the cover. It restored my faith in her after a brief period of post-Oryx and Crake disillusionment. Here Atwood leads us through a life of a Canadian woman and walks us through feelings of abandonment and estrangement, but also of love, endurance and strength, feelings we can all relate to, male or female, Canadian or otherwise.
RELIGION
Mere Christianity by C S Lewis
I've got mixed feelings about it. On one hand, yes, the book is a spiritual classic, and it's immediately clear why it's been so widely read for decades. Lewis is a persuasive author whose intelligence and intellectual prowess ooze from every page of the book. The chapters were originally given on the air, broadcast by the BBC during WW2 and thus reflect some of the ethos and ideology of the period, which makes it seem somewhat awkward at times, even antiquated. Readers who love this book will say that it powerfully presents the very essence of the Christian faith. Those less enthusiastic will complain that the apparent simplicity has more to do with Lewis' Spartan-like spiritual militarism and his draconian, take-it-or-leave-it approach to Christianity. Reading the book, I got a mental picture of Lewis as a bossy and difficult man to deal with.
POETRY
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot
Nobody reads poetry any more. Well, I've been reading some - to my cat. And is there a better book of poems to read to one's cat than this slim volume of T S Eliot's delightful little odes to these wonderful creatures? I think not.
Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip YanceyIt's one of those books I never thought I'd read. Yancey is an evangelical, while I'm... Let's say, of slightly different persuasion. Anyway, my preconception was that pretty much all evangelical authors are Bible-thumping fundamentalists preaching the gospel of fire and brimstone. And I was quite wary of Yancey in particular, given his prominent status among the religious conservatives. Somebody left a copy of this book in my church library couple of months ago and I'm glad I eventually gave it a chance. Fundamentalist or not, I found Yancey a caring, sensitive and compassionate author. As I was reading the book, it felt like I was being listened to by him, rather than the other way around. Peculiar and rare quality. One thing that needs to be said: people looking for simple and straightforward answers won't find them in this book (which is only a plus).
FICTION
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef PenneySet in a remote corner of Canadian icy-cold wilderness, it was a nice distraction from yet another bland Belgrade winter. It is somewhat difficult to define its genre, as there's a bit of everything thrown in there: history, romance, crime, mystery, even an anachronistic coming-out narrative that seems very late 20th-century for a novel set in the 1800s. Still, it all holds quite well together.
FICTION
Moral Disorder by Margaret AtwoodSpeaking of Canada, here's another piece of literary Canadiana, and also another book defying usual genre classification. It can be seen as a collection of short stories, or as a novel consisting of rather loosely connected chapters (I have to admit that it was only once I was halfway through the book that I realised it's the same character she's writing about). Either way, it really is Atwood at her very finest as it says on the cover. It restored my faith in her after a brief period of post-Oryx and Crake disillusionment. Here Atwood leads us through a life of a Canadian woman and walks us through feelings of abandonment and estrangement, but also of love, endurance and strength, feelings we can all relate to, male or female, Canadian or otherwise.
RELIGION
Mere Christianity by C S Lewis
I've got mixed feelings about it. On one hand, yes, the book is a spiritual classic, and it's immediately clear why it's been so widely read for decades. Lewis is a persuasive author whose intelligence and intellectual prowess ooze from every page of the book. The chapters were originally given on the air, broadcast by the BBC during WW2 and thus reflect some of the ethos and ideology of the period, which makes it seem somewhat awkward at times, even antiquated. Readers who love this book will say that it powerfully presents the very essence of the Christian faith. Those less enthusiastic will complain that the apparent simplicity has more to do with Lewis' Spartan-like spiritual militarism and his draconian, take-it-or-leave-it approach to Christianity. Reading the book, I got a mental picture of Lewis as a bossy and difficult man to deal with.
POETRY
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot
Nobody reads poetry any more. Well, I've been reading some - to my cat. And is there a better book of poems to read to one's cat than this slim volume of T S Eliot's delightful little odes to these wonderful creatures? I think not.
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Belief-O-Matic
This is one of my favorite personality quizzes. I take it every once in while, just to see the latest developments in my religious views.
Basically, you get to answer about 20 questions about various religious and social issues, and the software comes up with a sort of compatibility list, how well your views match with the teachings and precepts of 27 religious denominations.
What I've just realized is that my spirituality is not as chaotic as I tend to think. Each time I take the test, the same four or five faiths appear among the top five. And the first two hardly come as a surprise to me:
You can take the quiz at the Beliefnet website.
Basically, you get to answer about 20 questions about various religious and social issues, and the software comes up with a sort of compatibility list, how well your views match with the teachings and precepts of 27 religious denominations.
What I've just realized is that my spirituality is not as chaotic as I tend to think. Each time I take the test, the same four or five faiths appear among the top five. And the first two hardly come as a surprise to me:
| 1. | Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%) |
| 2. | Liberal Quakers (79%) |
| 3. | Bahá'í Faith (75%) |
| 4. | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (74%) |
| 5. | Unitarian Universalism (72%) |
| 6. | Reform Judaism (69%) |
| 7. | Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (63%) |
| 8. | Jehovah's Witness (62%) |
| 9. | Orthodox Quaker (59%) |
| 10. | Neo-Pagan (57%) |
| 11. | Orthodox Judaism (56%) |
| 12. | Sikhism (55%) |
| 13. | Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (54%) |
| 14. | New Age (53%) |
| 15. | Mahayana Buddhism (50%) |
| 16. | Theravada Buddhism (48%) |
| 17. | New Thought (48%) |
| 18. | Eastern Orthodox (46%) |
| 19. | Roman Catholic (46%) |
| 20. | Seventh Day Adventist (45%) |
| 21. | Secular Humanism (44%) |
| 22. | Islam (41%) |
| 23. | Jainism (41%) |
| 24. | Scientology (40%) |
| 25. | Hinduism (39%) |
| 26. | Taoism (34%) |
| 27. | Nontheist (21%) |
You can take the quiz at the Beliefnet website.
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