"Preachy"

I'm provoked to do something that will likely prove more annoying than provocative in the way I desire.

But this type of provocation always proves temporary, so not to worry.

In reading the netflix reviews of one the more trendy-cool-quirky-hippie Christian films made in recent years (very few fit in that box), I saw two words repeated to the point that I felt I no longer had a grasp on what they meant: propaganda and preachy.

"This movie is religious preachy Christian Jesus freak crap. Don't waste your life watching it. I wanna get those 2 hours of my life back, blah blah blah".

"They tricked me. It's propaganda. I'm insulted. I wanna set netflix on fire. rah rah rah."

They throw around terms like "bait and switch" and "close minded". They wag their fingers at netflix for not properly categorizing the movie. They're really angry.

And I'm so confused, left asking - what, exactly, makes a movie a tool of propaganda?

Enter my temptation towards ineffectual provocation.

Maybe I should write a review of a film or tv show featuring characters who engage in casual sex or simply fornicate without a second thought, and give it 1 star and write "bah hum-bug, this film is a propaganda tool promoting promiscuity, wearing the mask of entertainment. I found the over-sexualization of the characters insulting to my personal morality and I am offended and the directors should be ashamed and what do they take me for? I'm too smart for your tricks, netflix!"

There are so many options. That's probably the majority of films or tv shows on the site. Including some of the ones I enjoy.

Some might disagree, but I am of the mind that media is almost never neutral. And I say "almost" to be generous and cover my bases. But I just don't see how it can be. Humans are not neutral.

So just as the reviewers were offended by the telling of this particular story - a person's real life journey -  and, were apparently insulted by the fact that the subject came to conclusions that differed from their own - I was offended by their condescending responses. I have rarely read an amateur review on a site like netflix in which the reviewers are just so angry with the character's personal story. God forbid my boring life was made a movie. Would they write angry reviews, outraged at the shocking lack of sex? They'd think it was unrealistic and that me and my friends live in a time warp, even though we have cool hair and wear trendy clothes. That won't stop the tomatoes from flying.  I think we would offend them by having convictions.

My conclusion is, I will embrace the term propaganda. I think it just means you're actually owning the fact that you believe and stand for something. Everyone believes, not everyone owns it.

Filling the Silence and Tasty Sonic Treats

I am the type of person who gets uncomfortable with long silences.
I'm growing out of that, but it's definitely my tendency to insist on making some noise when a void arises.
Like babies in church. Have you noticed that at the most quiet, solemn moments, when it's time to pray or reflect, a baby will gladly fill the space with squealing or babbling. (Or what sounds like babbling to us. I'm sure they have something very specific they're trying to communicate). It's like they find it their duty. 

Anyway, that's me. It's quiet, so I hum or sing, or mutter to myself. 

This post is me doing that. I have had loooong periods of silence on this blog, in part due to attention given to a blog i contributed to with some friends over the past few years: womenstorieslife.wordpress.com
Now that it's ended, I can and should return to making semi-regular posts here. 

The post that follows was written a year ago and is not reflective of a thought i had yesterday or the day before that, or a recent event, as most blogs are. Instead, it's me posting to fill the silence. It's still me. Just not "current, late-breaking" me.
Perhaps you'll still relate to what I have to say.  I welcome your responses.

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We are sensory beings. We have 5 senses. They are fully a part of how we experience life and the world.  There are many interests, passions, abilities and gifts of which we’re composed.

Is it possible for me to experience God in that kind of way? Robust, round, full and fat? Not lean, like CCM radio? No offense to CCM radio, but what if i don’t like the music? What if I don’t love the sound of Casting Crowns? What does that say about me? Is it so bad to prefer listening to music that actually appeals to my aesthetic sensibilities?

In this day and age, and particularly in this country, unless one’s absolutely desperate, no one is going to force a grown woman to eat food she dislikes just because it has lots of nutrients.
You’ll say - well, there’s actually another way for you to get those nutrients. Have you tried.... ?

I want to listen to music.
I want to listen to music that’s good.
I want music to inspire me.
I want to listen to music that inspires me.

I want music to make me think higher thoughts - sometimes.
Sometimes i just want it to make me dance or to simply entertain.
But at other times I want elevation.

In my experience, that comes from more than just the words - which i don’t dismiss as insignificant.  I have a strong appreciation for words and language. And words can inspire awe on their own.

However words + music create an experience that words alone cannot. And oftentimes, that’s what I want. It’s sensory. There days when I long for a robust sensory experience; I want music I can taste.

“Christian” music doesn’t always taste good and not always because of the content. It seems that in some Christian circles, we’re just getting around to recognizing the importance of art as a conduit. And that the sound is not inconsequential.  It can actually help us look up; it can take us there. It can envelope us, embrace us in a way that we need.

I want music that takes adventures. I want to listen to artists who take risks and dare to put out work that might not sound mainstream but will appeal to those of us sitting in the corner, bored. Or reluctantly taking what we can get because there’s nothing else.

A few artists do this for me lately. Gungor is one of the first bands that comes to mind.
Any others? Care to share? My ears are longing for tasty treats.

~adria