© the other press ¢ Opinions January 21, 2004 In The Pagoda Matthew Little OP Contributor Throughout history people have argued about the nature of God or the universe. This has often led to conflict and misun- derstanding. There is an ancient story told by Buddha that can help us move beyond these barriers and provide a clue to how our current science can elevate to another level. The Blind Men and the Elephant Several citizens got into a hot argument about God and dif- ferent religions, and each one could not agree to a common answer. So they came to the Lord Buddha to find out what. exactly God looks like. The Buddha asked his disci- ples to get a large magnificent elephant and four blind men. He then brought the four blind to the elephant and told them to find out what the elephant would “look” like. The first blind man touched the elephant’s leg and reported that it “looked” like a pillar. The second blind man touched the elephant’s tummy and said that the elephant was a wall. The third blind man touched the elephant’s ear and said that it was a piece of cloth. The fourth blind man held on to the tail and described the ele- phant as a piece of rope. And all of them ran into a hot argu- ment about the “appearance” of an elephant. The Buddha asked the citi- zens, “Each blind man had touched the elephant but each of them gives a different description of the animal. Which answer is right?” “All of them are right,” was the reply. “Why? Because everyone can only see part of the elephant. They are not able to see the whole animal. The same applies to God and to religions. No one will see Him completely.” By this parable, the Lord Buddha teaches that we should respect all other legitimate religions and their beliefs. In many ways science has become our new religion— schools are our churches and pioneering scientist are our priests and highest authorities. Science tries to teach us the best way to live, and what the structure of the universe is—it poses questions about the nature of life and tries to find ways to answer those questions. Science, however also has its limitations and some might even compare it to a blind man groping an elephant’s leg. While science has been very successful at investigating the surface of matter it has had a tendency to dismiss and reject those things currently beyond its scope. However, break- throughs in technology and sci- entific technique are beginning to reveal phenomena that chal- lenges our deepest held materi- al convictions. Science is start- ing to discover that some of the most radical assertions of reli- gions and ancient spiritual teachings might not have been so far out after all. We will begin to explore these in the next In the Pagoda. From the day we are born,-we grow up in a society that teach- es éach of us that to stray from the norm is unacceptable. No matter how many times we hear that it takes all kinds of people to make this world unique, or that it would be a very boring place if we were all the same—our society sends a very clearly defined message: Be like those around you, be a heterosexual. Every day we see this message blasted at us through main- stream media. The message we hear is: Men and women fit, and anything else is wrong. But life is not that black and white, nor is love. Life is not a Name: Dennis Over the Rainbow Internalized Homophobia Joel Koette and Laine Le Vecque OP Columnist television program, a movie, or a magazine spread. Although, due to our preconceived needs and paranoia to conform we more often than not choose to compare ourselves to the peo- ple we see in mainstream media. Gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual individuals at times will feel a negative inner struggle in accepting and nur- turing their own sexuality. This negative and extremely harmful state is Internalized referred to as Homophobia. This can also cause difficulty in forming true self-identity. There are’ various reasons why individuals feel and experience internalized homophobia. This phobia can come out in self devaluation as well as devalua- tion of the community. These individuals may also choose to disassociate themselves from the community that could pro- vide them with the most sup- port. The reason for this is because you would be hard pressed to find an out queer individual that has not gone through something similar. Eliminate the fear! Once we as a society become accepting to all those around us, homo- phobia will cease to exist. Solutions To This Issue Visit a support group such as Youth Quest in the lower level of the student union building (Room 100B) or the Pride Collective Resource Center (Room 328) located on the upper level in the student union building. Contact your local chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Try chatting with people online in a gay chat room to improve interactions as well as maybe make some friends. Take small steps with your- self, but accepting yourself is the first step to getting others to do the same. 3 3) Deyice Angela Blattmann OP Photographer Name: Kim Answer: Sure, why not? Seems like a good idea! Name: Lynn Answer: | think any holiday is a good idea. Name: Sunny Age: 20 Age: 23 Program at Douglas College: DVST Program at Douglas College: General Last CD in your stereo? Last CD in your stereo? BDP—Sex and Violence Tyrese What's your favourite kind of garden? What's your favourite kind of garden? Bonzai Flower Have you ever planted anything? What happened? Have you ever planted anything? What Yeah, watermelon when I was 12. It didn’t work, happened? and I was pretty disappointed. What's the best thing that comes out of a garden? Tomatoes, you can do so much with them. I planted a pine, and it worked. What's the best thing that comes out of a garden? Coffee Name: Colin Answer: Yeah, make it a holiday, I’m Irish! Ms y eae Page 8 hittp://www.otherpress.ca