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bird talk and beliefs
Jul. 9th, 2009 08:26 amBefore extrapolating, an update on the household wild birds: due to my dad being too busy to set up my tripod and camera I wasn't able to photograph the birth or feeding of the robins. Unfortunate not to have a photographic record of the event, but oh well. I watched them daily (several times a day) from my bedroom window. Two were born, and once hatched they grew rapidly. The robin parents were most attentive and returned to feed the chicks every 10-15 minutes. In the evening as well as anytime it rained one parent or the other would dutifully sit on the nest and it's occupants. Once hatched the process took a week and five days until they flew from the nest. We'll remove the nest so the same spot's used next year. The young robins have been on the roof and in the backyard and they seem spry.
OMGbluejaygasm: the full family of 5 (we suspect they either live in the trees flush against our house in the front yard, or in the trees lining the fence in the backyard) visited the courtyard for some time today. I've been concerned as the bluejays haven't been visiting as often for a month and a half. Now I know why--two whiny, squawking fledglings, nearly the size of the parents, hounded the parents for food, even when they themselves stood inches from the feeder. The petulant youngsters cried demandingly and fluttered their wings as if to look helpless. The parents and other adults were showing them the platform feeder and trying in vain to convey to them here's the food. Feed yourselves. to little avail. Actually, I'm sure the youngsters understood; they simply prefer to be fed by others if they can get away with it. >;-)
So, what was a family of five is now seven. >:-D
Early this morning an odd warbling screech made me pause. Right on top of the blossoming clematis's trellis, a baby yellow-headed blackbird sat! It was as big as the dad, yet fluffier and lacking the brilliant yellow head (it was subdued yellow emerging through black). The dad went from the kid to the platform feeder and back every two minutes. From the trellis where the youngster perched to the feeder, lies a gap of maybe ten inches.
Digging through the depths yielded some shiny nuggets. I'm not label minded--I like the unclassifiable, the multifaceted, the rebellious. That said, I've been pondering exactly what my beliefs are--out of curiosity, not necessity.
I saw the excellent film Religulous by Bill Maher with my parents last year and we loved it. It's a documentary of sorts about atheism and the links between religious doctrine, violent fervor, and ignorance.
The movie led me to wonder, am I an atheist? I certainly agreed with the points raised in the film, and in the episodes of Pen & Teller's Bullshit! that dispel/debunk/snark both Christian and New Age beliefs. I looked at atheism in the dictionary, and the actual definition doesn't fit. I'm not anti-deity, and I have no problem with anyone believing in deity. What appalls me is allowing religion to influence politics and promoting religious doctrine above science and common sense; to blame deity for ones actions or inaction, or to claim that something must be done to appease deity or bad things will happen to everyone or even the world.
I looked up a few -isms, -ans, and an -ic, that I jibe with on most levels. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Results (my comments non-Italicized and at the close of each entry):
Main Entry: heathenism
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural heathens or heathen
Date: before 12th century
Results
1. an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible
2. an uncivilized or irreligious person
This works on all levels.
Main Entry: naturalism
Pronunciation: \ ˈna-chə-rə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnach-rə- \
Function: noun
Date: circa 1641
Results
1. action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts
2. a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance--specifically the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
3. realism in art or literature--specifically a theory or practice in literature emphasizing scientific observation of life without idealization and often including elements of determinism
The first definition works to a degree, particularly inclination and action based on instincts.
Number two as well. Though I revere nature, I believe the science of it is just as wondrous and inspiring as any superstitious or magICKal interpretation. This is why, when I was thirteen and prayed for Artemis to show herself to me and the stag and two does appeared on the hill behind my cabin, I'm still not sure if it was just coincidence or not. It doesn't negate what a symbolically powerful event that was. Sometimes seeing a particular animal, natural occurrence, or something strange and seemingly unnatural in nature isn't supernatural. It can be a cool random thing.
Three I like and dislike. I appreciate realism in art while also loving the surreal. This dichotomy is true in literature. In application to nature writing, I'm torn. I respect down-to-earth and visceral accounts of nature, simply written. When anthropomorphism and personal emotion are utilized, it annoys me depending on the source. Some sources I enjoy it from. From others it makes me cranky and roll my eyes.
Main Entry: animism
Pronunciation: \ ˈa-nə-ˌmi-zəm \
Function: noun
Etymology: German Animismus, from Latin anima soul
Date: 1832
Results
1. a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit
2. attribution of conscious life to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate objects
3. belief in the existence of spirits separable from bodies
One is tricky. I don't feel that the vital principle of organic development is spirit. I don't believe a fetus in the early stages has a spirit. I don't believe the coffee I drink or the salad I eat has a soul. The flowers and the vegetables we raise, I don't believe have to have spirit to be alive and thrive. A person who is brain dead and in a vegetative state doesn't need spirit to survive, just machines. Whether a spirit is trapped in their body or has left at that point is debatable. Of course, this boils down to personal interpretation of immaterial spirit and soul. I'll have to chew that over and spit out it's own entry at some point.
Two? Again, it's tricky. I do a bit of both, though I'm cautious (and mindfull) of doing so.
Three I'm pretty sure of, though no one can say with absolute certainty about any belief, let alone this. It's humble to not know and say so than to claim a belief is 100% true without verifiable proof (that others can see, experience, and/or measure too).
Main Entry: naturism
Pronunciation: \ ˈnā-chə-ˌri-zəm \
Function: noun
Date: 1847
Results
1 naturalism
2. the worship of the forces of nature
3. nudism
One and two, yes. By 'worship' nature, for me it's more of a relationship with, a need to be in, and a steward and student of nature.
Three, not so much. Not for me, in any case. I don't mind being around others being nude if they're comfortable with it.
Main Entry: altruism
Pronunciation: \ ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm \
Etymology: French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin alter
Date: 1853
Results
1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2. behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species
Spot on! Two being the potential backfiring of good deeds.
Main Entry: pagan !pA-gun
Pronunciation: \ ˈpā-gən \
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, civilian, country dweller, from pagus country district; akin to Latin pangere to fix - More at - pact
Date: 14th century
Results
1. heathen especially a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2. one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
3. neo-pagan
Okay, numero uno--heathen crops up again. Two thumbs up.
Two, I dig the irreligious part. The hedonistic/delights in sensual pleasures part? Not really. I've never been a hedonist, and the drive for sensual pleasure has long been low in me. I honestly had no sexual fantasies or thoughts (not even dreams!) until I was 16. I became sexually active at 18, and from then until now (37) I've had maybe a handful of lovers. I love love, sensuality, touch, and being desired. I've come to realize in the last 7 years that sensual pleasures aren't available to me anymore and I accept that.
Three--I'd better look up neo-pagan just to be sure...
Main Entry: neo-pagan +nE-O-!pA-gun
Pronunciation: \ -ˈpā-gən \
Function: noun
Date: 1869
Results
1. a person who practices a contemporary form of paganism (as Wicca)
Ah, okay. So a modern heathen. That fits the bill.
Main Entry: shamanism !sh@-mun-+ni-zum
Pronunciation: \ -ˌni-zəm \
Function: noun
Date: 1780
Results
1. a religion practiced by indigenous peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia that is characterized by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits responsive only to the shamans
I think indigenous shamanism is a neat and curious practice. I respect it. As such I don't feel it's my place as a white American mutt to try. Then again, I've never felt a calling to be a shaman.
Main Entry: agnostic ag-!n@s-tik
Pronunciation: \ ag-ˈnäs-tik, əg- \
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek agnōstos unknown, unknowable, from a- + gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know - More at - know
Date: 1869
Results
1. a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable--broadly one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
2. a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something - political agnostics
Neither definition quite fits. With number one I kind of agree, at least with this part: a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable. The second, definitely not.
Given this and simplifying, I'm an altruistic-naturist-heathen with a sprinkle of animism. Rings true to me.
If anyone hasn't heard yet, here's some stellar lynx news: I first saw this awhile back when I logged on in the morning. Then Nona sent me this link, and Misslynx sent me this link. >:-D
I must say it fills me with a joy beyond words that Canadian lynx have been reintroduced here and are finally thriving (well, thriving in comparison to the last few years).
OMGbluejaygasm: the full family of 5 (we suspect they either live in the trees flush against our house in the front yard, or in the trees lining the fence in the backyard) visited the courtyard for some time today. I've been concerned as the bluejays haven't been visiting as often for a month and a half. Now I know why--two whiny, squawking fledglings, nearly the size of the parents, hounded the parents for food, even when they themselves stood inches from the feeder. The petulant youngsters cried demandingly and fluttered their wings as if to look helpless. The parents and other adults were showing them the platform feeder and trying in vain to convey to them here's the food. Feed yourselves. to little avail. Actually, I'm sure the youngsters understood; they simply prefer to be fed by others if they can get away with it. >;-)
So, what was a family of five is now seven. >:-D
Early this morning an odd warbling screech made me pause. Right on top of the blossoming clematis's trellis, a baby yellow-headed blackbird sat! It was as big as the dad, yet fluffier and lacking the brilliant yellow head (it was subdued yellow emerging through black). The dad went from the kid to the platform feeder and back every two minutes. From the trellis where the youngster perched to the feeder, lies a gap of maybe ten inches.
Digging through the depths yielded some shiny nuggets. I'm not label minded--I like the unclassifiable, the multifaceted, the rebellious. That said, I've been pondering exactly what my beliefs are--out of curiosity, not necessity.
I saw the excellent film Religulous by Bill Maher with my parents last year and we loved it. It's a documentary of sorts about atheism and the links between religious doctrine, violent fervor, and ignorance.
The movie led me to wonder, am I an atheist? I certainly agreed with the points raised in the film, and in the episodes of Pen & Teller's Bullshit! that dispel/debunk/snark both Christian and New Age beliefs. I looked at atheism in the dictionary, and the actual definition doesn't fit. I'm not anti-deity, and I have no problem with anyone believing in deity. What appalls me is allowing religion to influence politics and promoting religious doctrine above science and common sense; to blame deity for ones actions or inaction, or to claim that something must be done to appease deity or bad things will happen to everyone or even the world.
I looked up a few -isms, -ans, and an -ic, that I jibe with on most levels. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Results (my comments non-Italicized and at the close of each entry):
Main Entry: heathenism
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural heathens or heathen
Date: before 12th century
Results
1. an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible
2. an uncivilized or irreligious person
This works on all levels.
Main Entry: naturalism
Pronunciation: \ ˈna-chə-rə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnach-rə- \
Function: noun
Date: circa 1641
Results
1. action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts
2. a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance--specifically the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
3. realism in art or literature--specifically a theory or practice in literature emphasizing scientific observation of life without idealization and often including elements of determinism
The first definition works to a degree, particularly inclination and action based on instincts.
Number two as well. Though I revere nature, I believe the science of it is just as wondrous and inspiring as any superstitious or magICKal interpretation. This is why, when I was thirteen and prayed for Artemis to show herself to me and the stag and two does appeared on the hill behind my cabin, I'm still not sure if it was just coincidence or not. It doesn't negate what a symbolically powerful event that was. Sometimes seeing a particular animal, natural occurrence, or something strange and seemingly unnatural in nature isn't supernatural. It can be a cool random thing.
Three I like and dislike. I appreciate realism in art while also loving the surreal. This dichotomy is true in literature. In application to nature writing, I'm torn. I respect down-to-earth and visceral accounts of nature, simply written. When anthropomorphism and personal emotion are utilized, it annoys me depending on the source. Some sources I enjoy it from. From others it makes me cranky and roll my eyes.
Main Entry: animism
Pronunciation: \ ˈa-nə-ˌmi-zəm \
Function: noun
Etymology: German Animismus, from Latin anima soul
Date: 1832
Results
1. a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit
2. attribution of conscious life to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate objects
3. belief in the existence of spirits separable from bodies
One is tricky. I don't feel that the vital principle of organic development is spirit. I don't believe a fetus in the early stages has a spirit. I don't believe the coffee I drink or the salad I eat has a soul. The flowers and the vegetables we raise, I don't believe have to have spirit to be alive and thrive. A person who is brain dead and in a vegetative state doesn't need spirit to survive, just machines. Whether a spirit is trapped in their body or has left at that point is debatable. Of course, this boils down to personal interpretation of immaterial spirit and soul. I'll have to chew that over and spit out it's own entry at some point.
Two? Again, it's tricky. I do a bit of both, though I'm cautious (and mindfull) of doing so.
Three I'm pretty sure of, though no one can say with absolute certainty about any belief, let alone this. It's humble to not know and say so than to claim a belief is 100% true without verifiable proof (that others can see, experience, and/or measure too).
Main Entry: naturism
Pronunciation: \ ˈnā-chə-ˌri-zəm \
Function: noun
Date: 1847
Results
1 naturalism
2. the worship of the forces of nature
3. nudism
One and two, yes. By 'worship' nature, for me it's more of a relationship with, a need to be in, and a steward and student of nature.
Three, not so much. Not for me, in any case. I don't mind being around others being nude if they're comfortable with it.
Main Entry: altruism
Pronunciation: \ ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm \
Etymology: French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin alter
Date: 1853
Results
1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2. behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species
Spot on! Two being the potential backfiring of good deeds.
Main Entry: pagan !pA-gun
Pronunciation: \ ˈpā-gən \
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, civilian, country dweller, from pagus country district; akin to Latin pangere to fix - More at - pact
Date: 14th century
Results
1. heathen especially a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2. one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
3. neo-pagan
Okay, numero uno--heathen crops up again. Two thumbs up.
Two, I dig the irreligious part. The hedonistic/delights in sensual pleasures part? Not really. I've never been a hedonist, and the drive for sensual pleasure has long been low in me. I honestly had no sexual fantasies or thoughts (not even dreams!) until I was 16. I became sexually active at 18, and from then until now (37) I've had maybe a handful of lovers. I love love, sensuality, touch, and being desired. I've come to realize in the last 7 years that sensual pleasures aren't available to me anymore and I accept that.
Three--I'd better look up neo-pagan just to be sure...
Main Entry: neo-pagan +nE-O-!pA-gun
Pronunciation: \ -ˈpā-gən \
Function: noun
Date: 1869
Results
1. a person who practices a contemporary form of paganism (as Wicca)
Ah, okay. So a modern heathen. That fits the bill.
Main Entry: shamanism !sh@-mun-+ni-zum
Pronunciation: \ -ˌni-zəm \
Function: noun
Date: 1780
Results
1. a religion practiced by indigenous peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia that is characterized by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits responsive only to the shamans
I think indigenous shamanism is a neat and curious practice. I respect it. As such I don't feel it's my place as a white American mutt to try. Then again, I've never felt a calling to be a shaman.
Main Entry: agnostic ag-!n@s-tik
Pronunciation: \ ag-ˈnäs-tik, əg- \
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek agnōstos unknown, unknowable, from a- + gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know - More at - know
Date: 1869
Results
1. a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable--broadly one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
2. a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something - political agnostics
Neither definition quite fits. With number one I kind of agree, at least with this part: a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable. The second, definitely not.
Given this and simplifying, I'm an altruistic-naturist-heathen with a sprinkle of animism. Rings true to me.
If anyone hasn't heard yet, here's some stellar lynx news: I first saw this awhile back when I logged on in the morning. Then Nona sent me this link, and Misslynx sent me this link. >:-D
I must say it fills me with a joy beyond words that Canadian lynx have been reintroduced here and are finally thriving (well, thriving in comparison to the last few years).
