BLURRY LINES

Okay, so I'm touching upon what is a sensitive topic - religion. A disclaimer before I begin: in no way is this post meant to disrespect, defile, question, ridicule or put down any religion, community or sect in any manner. It's just that I do have (strong) views on the same, and hey, this is my blog, right? So.

I'd been doing a bit of thinking lately - in part due to my sudden interest in religion and spirituality - and had consequently picked up a couple of books to read. As with any good book, these two piqued my interest for the subject, and upped my curiosity to explore further. I found myself online, scouring the Internet for more information. Of course, I do agree that it may not be the best place to look for authentic information always, but hey, at least it's a fair starting point, right?

Why blurry lines? Because whatever bit of reading I got through, put these snippets of information forward: religion is more about a way of life, and does not entirely have to do with God as a concept. There are prescribed texts that guide one to what is the ideal (I will not use the word 'coorect' here) path, and how best one should lead their life. Yes, there naturally is a God/ Supreme Being/ Energy, but that isn't to be confused with how one should treat family/ neighbours/ perfect strangers. A God (if you will) is to be looked up to, to be worshipped, yes, but is definitely not a force that promotes or encourages behaviour that is remotely even anti-social, or that goes against basic human principles, or humanity.

At least, folks, that's my takeaway. What I want to do now is read some more, understand the reasons behind belief systems/ values/ customs/ conventions that different religions prescribe. But there's one thing that I've understood loud and clear: if religion isn't distorted beyond belief, it is a good way to go.

WHAT'S ON YOUR READING LIST?

Currently, this is what my bedside table holds:

Been meaning to read The Tao of Pooh, Te of Piglet for the longest time now; finally got myself a copy and have made (very small, as of now) inroads into it. Good reading.

Of course, books by Betty Neels and Mary Higgins Clark are my all-time favourites, so I'm invariably re-reading (sometimes, even re-re-reading) some of their books - which is the case right now, too.

Weekend agenda: Finish up with these, start off a new lot, and also find some time to paint. (Meeting The Mother-in-Law Later This Month is on the cards; will be gifting her a me-made painting.)

BEING 'PROPER'

Back in the 80s, when I was in the single-digit age group, life was a lot less complicated. The early 90s, even. Did you know that being 'proper' was not a mandatory requirement? Nobody sang from the rooftops about how things were politically incorrect, nobody went all twisty to shout slogans about violent cartoons, nobody insisted that one of the - rather, THE - celebrated childrens' author of all time was racist, or even sexist. No comic books delightfully detailing the exploits of news reporter-heroes were quickly taken off the bookshelves.

...And then we got 'proper'. Bah.

Ergo, a certain feline and rodent duo were banned from homes, channels on the TV hurriedly flipped, with people delicately shuddering at the effect they apparently had on their children. No, never mind domestic violence, or even dramatisation on other more mature content on the telly that kids are constantly exposed to. That, of course, paled in comparison to the antics of the four-legged characters. How can we even compare the two? Gasp!

Consequently, beloved characters from books took on new 'correct' names, none that had sexual/ political/ racist/ any other seemingly offensive overtones. Worse still, you found that a toy or two had been erased from the bright, colourful pages of your childhood. Characters no longer looked the same, or spoke the same - if they were there at all!

So comic books were banned, panels from them (skillfully?) edited, and 'proper' versions were put up for sale.

Don't get me wrong, y'all - nowhere, and in no way, do I support biases, be it gender/ race/ lifestyle preferences/ any other. I'm as much for equality (or is balance a better word?) as you are. However, I honestly believe that some things that are sacred, and best left alone.

Somewhere, isn't it all a matter of perspective?

ABOUT HARRY POTTER. OR JK ROWLING

Enid Blyton
Richmal Crompton
Carolyn Keene
Franklin W. Dixon
...Take a bow!

It's their books I grew up on as a child/ pre-teen, and followed up on my love for reading with a gazillion books from so many talented authors as I grew older. It's been a long and fascinating journey with the books, always one of discovery and happiness at having found a new friend.

So what does this have to do with Harry Potter? Am I rambling on (as usual)? No. Yes. Maybe! The thing is, while a book may have stayed on in the memory, it's not always that an author has, unless associated with a specific book, if you know what I mean. See, like if you say Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell immediately comes to mind. Ditto Stephen King should you holler The Shining. Now here is where Harry Potter comes in. Or rather, JK Rowling does. The books are so magical (yes, I can hear so-JRR Tolkein-meets-Enid Blyton!), so unreal (yet real), so mystical...and yet they make you want to believe in everything that's written on every one of those pages. You can't help wonder whether you know, these things actually happen in real life (as we know it). So here's the thing. I guess Rowling's brought alive the child/ teen in me. After all, who said that fantasy is only for people in the single digit age-group? A little bit of fairy dust and magic works for us all!