Comments on: The Father of Funkupaganism http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/ an online magazine for spiritual seekers. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:09:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Brittany http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/#comment-194 Brittany Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:26:34 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=4552#comment-194 He's an artist who thinks that people need to re-evaluate the way they live. I don't think he ever begins to say he has all the answers. One of the main philosophies guiding his concept of Funkupaganism is "I must understand in order that I may believe. By doubting we come to questioning, and by questioning we perceive the truth" He challenges people to question the current order of society, and embrace the idea that all people are inherently valuable, creative, and worthy of respect, he never seems to say I'm right this is what you need to believe. His views on "a personal god" do seem narrow minded, in that he seems to define the idea of a "personal God" as nothing more than a way of people justifying inaction because their own relationship with God is strong, I obviously don't think that's all a personal relationship with God is about, however it is worth examining where one's religion lives in ones life. If religion is just something one does to make themselves feel good , but it does not transcend into the way one acts in their everyday lives, than that religion is not that genuine. No matter how much you pray if you don't live life respecting other people and caring for others you aren't really living a good life. As far as humble, I imagine he is not, but I've never met an artist who, in reality, is humble, there is something about feeling that your view of the world is worth being viewed, heard, or evaluated by the masses which has inherent in it a bit of ego. He’s an artist who thinks that people need to re-evaluate the way they live. I don’t think he ever begins to say he has all the answers. One of the main philosophies guiding his concept of Funkupaganism is “I must understand in order that I may believe. By doubting we come to questioning, and by questioning we perceive the truth” He challenges people to question the current order of society, and embrace the idea that all people are inherently valuable, creative, and worthy of respect, he never seems to say I’m right this is what you need to believe. His views on “a personal god” do seem narrow minded, in that he seems to define the idea of a “personal God” as nothing more than a way of people justifying inaction because their own relationship with God is strong, I obviously don’t think that’s all a personal relationship with God is about, however it is worth examining where one’s religion lives in ones life. If religion is just something one does to make themselves feel good , but it does not transcend into the way one acts in their everyday lives, than that religion is not that genuine. No matter how much you pray if you don’t live life respecting other people and caring for others you aren’t really living a good life.
As far as humble, I imagine he is not, but I’ve never met an artist who, in reality, is humble, there is something about feeling that your view of the world is worth being viewed, heard, or evaluated by the masses which has inherent in it a bit of ego.

]]> By: Jim http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/#comment-188 Jim Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:26:39 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=4552#comment-188 But then he says that the idea of a "personal God is dumb". He focuses solely on the negative aspects of this, as if the idea of a personal God is the equivalent of a "get out of jail free card." What this guy needs is a slice of humble pie big enough to show him that he doesn't have all the answers. But then he says that the idea of a “personal God is dumb”. He focuses solely on the negative aspects of this, as if the idea of a personal God is the equivalent of a “get out of jail free card.” What this guy needs is a slice of humble pie big enough to show him that he doesn’t have all the answers.

]]> By: Brittany http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/#comment-178 Brittany Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:18:48 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=4552#comment-178 Eccentricity breeds creativity, that's why, even if you hate modern art, you have to acknowledge to accomplishments of artists like Brown, who go beyond preconceptions of media, beauty and space to create works which cause the audience to challenge their preconceived ideas about art and culture. The levity of his churches "main prohibition" should be enough to tell you that he does not believe that he as a "religious leader" should be held to any high esteem, instead he wants to shatter peoples conceptions of piety to bring people back to what he sees as the truly important message of religion, love one another. A message which has inherent in it a commitment to social justice. I don't think the creation of a new religion is necessary, but a wake up call to those who have become complacent to injustices probably is in order, which is really Brown's ultimate goal. Eccentricity breeds creativity, that’s why, even if you hate modern art, you have to acknowledge to accomplishments of artists like Brown, who go beyond preconceptions of media, beauty and space to create works which cause the audience to challenge their preconceived ideas about art and culture. The levity of his churches “main prohibition” should be enough to tell you that he does not believe that he as a “religious leader” should be held to any high esteem, instead he wants to shatter peoples conceptions of piety to bring people back to what he sees as the truly important message of religion, love one another. A message which has inherent in it a commitment to social justice. I don’t think the creation of a new religion is necessary, but a wake up call to those who have become complacent to injustices probably is in order, which is really Brown’s ultimate goal.

]]> By: Ronetta http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/#comment-177 Ronetta Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:02:00 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=4552#comment-177 While I won't be joining Funkupaganism anytime soon, I do think if people looked past the "shock" factor they would see that not only is he being genuine, he is also exposing the hypocrisy of (most, not all) organized religions. All religions are created by man, just because this one's founder is still alive doesn't make it any less valid, especially since the message he is preaching is a valid one. Plus, this guy isn't taking himself too seriously, something most people need to learn. *cough* Jim *cough* While I won’t be joining Funkupaganism anytime soon, I do think if people looked past the “shock” factor they would see that not only is he being genuine, he is also exposing the hypocrisy of (most, not all) organized religions. All religions are created by man, just because this one’s founder is still alive doesn’t make it any less valid, especially since the message he is preaching is a valid one. Plus, this guy isn’t taking himself too seriously, something most people need to learn.

*cough* Jim *cough*

]]> By: Jim http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-father-of-funkupaganism/#comment-168 Jim Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:54:04 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=4552#comment-168 Another nutbag eccentric who thinks he's started his own religion. While he makes some good points he's also bizarre and needs to get a grip. Another nutbag eccentric who thinks he’s started his own religion. While he makes some good points he’s also bizarre and needs to get a grip.

]]>