Showing posts with label Shins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shins. Show all posts

3.26.2009

Sharing the Shins

What do you love? What are you passionate about? Do you ever find yourself telling everybody you know about a sports team, band, or film? What is it about cultural things that make us want to bring the reality of the experience to other people?

I'll give you a double example. Years ago, a friend of mine kept badgering me to see a film called Garden State. I was not a big fan of scrubs, so I consistently refused. However, I was won over by my friend's passion about the film. When, I finally did see it, I was blown away by one line in particular.

For years now, I have been a huge fan of the Shins, an indie band from Albuquerque. Before Garden State most people had never heard of the Shins (they are on the soundtrack). So, for the most part, I was alone in my adoration for the Shins' baroque pop discography. That is, until I saw Garden State and heard the line. Check out this scene from the film to get what I am talking about.


"The song" was "New Slang" by the Shins. I almost jumped out of my seat. Somebody else loved the Shins! I don't know why that was so exciting to me other than the fact that I now realized that I was a part of something bigger.

in the film, Sam's passion for her music and for sharing it with others is beautiful and magnetic. But is it always magnetic to share your passion?

The other day, my wife was paid a visit by a local religious group that is trying to recruit people to their Easter services. More than anything, their door-to-door is annoying to most people, but aren't they sharing their passion? Why is it annoying when religious people share what they are excited about, but it is not so annoying when people share their passion about sports, music, books, television, etc. ?

Another interesting perspective on this subject comes from a committed atheist, Penn Jillete. Listen to what he has to say:




So, an atheist seems to think that if religious people believed that their faith really had eternal implications, they would be sharing it with everyone.

What do you think? Should religious people share their faith?

unTapped

In order to live man must believe in that for which he lives.
- Huston Smith
unTapped is a conversation about faith and spirituality. There are many people frustrated by being forced to think of faith in the same old patterns, and would prefer to explore spirituality in different ways.

Anything goes here. No matter where you are or who you are, we want to hear from you. Feel free to join in the conversation!

You can also join us in person, every Thursday night at Short's Brewing Company in Downtown Bellaire, MI.
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