Re: [Paddlewise] Portland Peace Paddle (addendum)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Melissa Reese" <melissa_at_bonnyweeboaty.net>

> People announce "Christmas carol" paddles on this list each year.
> Should non-Christians on the list feel offended or upset by these? Or
> object to their announcements here? How about a Wicca sponsored
> "Spring Equinox" paddle event? (haven't heard of one, but that doesn't
> mean they can't or don't happen). After all, religious beliefs can be
> at least as polarizing as political ideologies and feelings about
> current events.

I have participated as a kayaker in several non-Christian religious
ceremonies involving being on the water.  I could be naive but I can't
imagine anyone being polarized by any of them.  One was the Jewish ceremony
Taleesh (spelling?) in which participants toss bread on the waters to cast
away sins.  Another was a Buddhist ceremony involving floating lanterns to
remember the dead particularly Japanese and other Buddhists who died in the
World Trade Center.  Religious and moving, yes.  Offensive or contraversial,
no.  I also have been in on a blessing of the fleet in NYC harbor in which
clerics of four different faiths stood on the deck of an old fireboat and
blessed our kayaks as we paddled by.  There were no causes being pushed or
positions taken with any of these ceremonies.

These were all in good faith (no pun intended) and not against anything or
for anything.  The Buddhists were very pleased that kayakers were willing to
help take out the candle lanterns to let them float freely.  In the ceremony
blessing the fleet a strong ecumenical feeling prevailed among the priests,
ministers and rabbis.  Even a shared comical moment.  After the kayakers had
all past for the blessing of their boats, one paddler came rushing up a bit
late.  The Catholic priest, seeing the guy's very Irish looking face, said
to the other clerics. "I'll take this one, boys.  He looks like one of
mine." :-)

>
> Can a "Peace Paddle" really be more objectionable than a "Memorial Day
> paddle"? Don't we all want peace?

If you are asking my opinion: I think Memorial Day paddles are purer peace
paddles than Peace Paddles; they remember the price paid for peace and
freedom; they don't attack anyone or take sides.  Yes, of course, we all
want peace.

> I can paddle for peace, and you can paddle for war if you wish.

I don't know of a single person who would paddle for war; and, if I did know
of such a person, I would not paddle with them.

How about a St. Patrick's Day Paddle to celebrate his driving Greenland
paddles out of Ireland...or was it snakes?  I know it was something long and
skinny. :-)

ralph diaz
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