Saturday, October 28, 2006
 | You scored as atheism. You are... an atheist, though you probably already knew this. Also, you probably have several people praying daily for your soul. Instead of simply being "nonreligious," atheists strongly believe in the lack of existence of a higher being, or God.
Which religion is the right one for you? (new version) created with QuizFarm.com |
I placed this survey result first today because it relates in a prime way to the next item. My feelings on religion should be pretty well known here, but of particular interest to me is not only the overwhelming percentage of my responses that indicated atheism, but that Paganism came in a relatively close second which is right on the mark (on the other hand I'm not sure why Satan crops up so high on the list because I don't believe in him either, but a lot of fundamentalist Christians would surely think I know him extremely well). Christianity comes in dead last which is absolutely correct. Now continue on to:
Earlier this month Sandouri Dean Bey invited me to compose an entry in his long running series, Göz Lokumu ("eye candy" in Turkish. I had asked if only beautiful young men qualified as göz lokumu, because early in life I developed a major attraction to handsome, powerful men older than I. I used as an example a magnificent, larger than life sized Greek bronze statue of the god Poseidon. Dean replied with the invitation that I was delighted to accept. The result was posted on his blog, Aman Yala, tonight. Here's the link: http://amanyala.blogspot.com
I've enjoyed this week but I'm really tired and glad it's over. We had the Visiting Committee on the Arts with us on Wednesday and Thursday. They're a group of men and women distinguished in Industry, Academia, Business and the Arts. Whatever their occupations, all must have actual experience in the arts and humanities. They meet with us for two intense days of interviews and reports, after which they draft their own report and deliver it in person to the president of the Institute. The Committee acts as an advisory resource to the president and provost, advocating for us to the highest levels of the MIT administration (different Visiting Committees exist for at least a dozen other departments).
This year was especially important for us because it was the first Visiting Committee for the Arts during the presidency of our first female and first non-scientist president, Susan Hockfield (she's a neuro-biologist). Almost two years into her presidency, her commitment to the Arts--even her grasp of the importance of the Arts at MIT--was still somewhat unclear.
Over the years, I've develope
d some close and rewarding friendships among many of the long-standing members of the Committee. Aside from saying good-bye as this is the last time I'll sit with them, at my Section Chair's request I reported from the vantage point of my three decade plus experience of the growth and health of the Arts at the Institute. The Committee's final report to the president was a glowing endorsement of us and what we do.Thursday and today the annual meeting of the Council for the Arts overlapped with the Visiting Committee which meant that we were running here and there to try to cover all the events and panels that were going on simultaneously.
Today at lunch the Council gave its McDermot Award for distinction in the Arts to one of THE hot playwrights in the world today, Suzan-Lori Parks. Part of the Award is that she'll come into residence with us in mid-winter to work with student writers, work with some classes and make a public lecture appearance. She's a petite dynamo with an irrepressible sense of humor, delightfully unaffected despite a MacArthur Genius Award, two Obie Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. We're producing a play of hers, "Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom" in mid-winter. I just got the script to read and begin to analyze, but after meeting her today, I can't wait.
Comments:
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Congratulations. It's good to know that people still recognize a job well done. Oh... I did that little quiz a couple of weeks ago. Like you, I don't believe any of the hooey either, but it said Satanism is the way to go for me! Hope you guys are having a good weekend, and stay dry!
# posted by 
: 7:01 AM
: 7:01 AM
I suspect the high paganism score - for me - was connected with the answers about nature. The quiz seems to try and combine views on 'morality' with theology and spirituality, but I'm not sure they got the balance right. It's not a bad quiz, but I stumbled a bit on the questions relating to rules. I resent arbitrary rules being imposed -the most obvious examples are ones about sexual behaviour, but there are many many more - but I have my own set of rules which are not in anyway unique and are about trying to live in a way considerate of others.
There seems to be no recognition of the religion of Jedi Knight, which is increasingly recognised in the UK.
There seems to be no recognition of the religion of Jedi Knight, which is increasingly recognised in the UK.
Hey Steve--Satanism. I knew I liked you! :-)
Gert--If you check out my piece on Dean's Aman Yala blog, you'll see a bit about my feelings on Paganism, classical variety. I'm very aware of the Celtic variety's reverence for, and connection to, nature and I'm sure my answers to the nature questions got me that high Paganism score, like you.
Gert--If you check out my piece on Dean's Aman Yala blog, you'll see a bit about my feelings on Paganism, classical variety. I'm very aware of the Celtic variety's reverence for, and connection to, nature and I'm sure my answers to the nature questions got me that high Paganism score, like you.
Will, I loved your post about Poseidon! I share your enthusiasm for men whose age gives them a self-confidence and experience base that makes them even sexier.
Ummm, Will, I doubt that Susan Hockfield would be happy to be called a non-scientist. Neurobiology sounds like science to me!
On the religion scale, looks like I'm a big confused mess:
agnosticism 83%
Buddhism 67%
Paganism 63%
Satanism 63%
Christianity 46%
Judaism 42%
Hinduism 38%
Islam 38%
atheism 25%
Can't wait to go read your Eye Candy post!
Scott
www.sardonic-bomb.com
agnosticism 83%
Buddhism 67%
Paganism 63%
Satanism 63%
Christianity 46%
Judaism 42%
Hinduism 38%
Islam 38%
atheism 25%
Can't wait to go read your Eye Candy post!
Scott
www.sardonic-bomb.com
# posted by : 7:59 PM
: 7:59 PM
Songster, that's how they refer to her discipline at the Institute. Biology in its various manifestations is not considered a "hard" science compared to the core sciences at MIT. I agree with you but there seems to be a divide there. Perhaps it doesn't exist at other schools like Yale from which she came to us.
I end up with Buddhism. I am at peace with that.
You know, the couple of MacArthur people I have ever met always seemed pleasant and to have a sense of humor. Maybe when you reach that level of recognition, you can just relax more.
You know, the couple of MacArthur people I have ever met always seemed pleasant and to have a sense of humor. Maybe when you reach that level of recognition, you can just relax more.
Well, Will - you and I have a lot in common. I came up as Athiest as my highest (83%). WHat's up with Satanism being my 3rd one? It's like they automatically assum you don't believe in god so you're into the devil?).
Christianity was also lowest for me at the same percentage (17%)
YAY US!
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Christianity was also lowest for me at the same percentage (17%)
YAY US!
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