Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Announcements

During our next meeting, we will be choosing a design for our club t-shirt. If you would like to offer a design, please have a sketch of it drawn out and ready to hand over for voting by Tuesday (next meeting). If you have any great, unique ideas, then go for it...simple, more basic designs are also welcome :)

Also, we are running low on discussion topics, so if you have any good ideas, then please tell one of the officers. Debate style questions, open-ended questions, you name it, we'll discuss it....

Thank You!!

Meeting: November 10, 2009

This time, we had a different guest speaker, junior Nori, talk to our members about Paganism.
There are a small percentage Paganism followers today...all those who do follow are so diverse that "no two Pagans" are alike. There is no exact 'church' set out for all Pagans to follow, as different believers will follow according to their branch or sector, but all Pagan paths are nature-based. Paganism is a religion based and stemmed from nature and it's power and energy.
Pagans are polytheistic (believe in many gods) and most believe in reincarnation. Some follow Ancient Greek & Egyptian religions and teachings. Pagans practice 'magik', (unlike magiC as we know it from "Harry Potter", etc.) which is the energy from Earth/natural things. This is practiced with different incantations, rituals, etc.
There are numerous holidays attributed to Paganism. Pagans follow the Pagan calendar, or the "wheel of the year". The equinoxes are celebrated, along with the harvest, and 'Halloween'. What we know as the holiday of costumes and candy is considered, to Pagans, to be the New Year. On this day, the veil between the spiritual and physical worlds is lifted; and so it is considered a powerful holiday, especially for those who have lost loved ones.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Meeting: November 3, 2009

Our wonderful guest speaker, senior Nate Garlick, came in and discussed the Mormon faith with our members.

Nate talked about everyday life as a believer in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the formal name of the church). Early mornings at the church, modesty in appearance, lack of profane language, and lack of addictive substances (such as alcohol, drugs, coffee...etc.) all make up little tidbits of Mormon life.
Nate spends around 10 hours a week "being at the church physically". Daily bible studies and Sunday prayers (lead by the Bishop) make up most of these dedicated hours.
The speaker also commented on the many stereotypes about Mormons. The confusion others have about the faith often lead to misconceptions, which then form stereotypes that are more than likely false. "It took time to not let it affect me" Nate comments on the stereotypes.

Discussion Topics

Ok, so from now on, we will be taking notes during meetings and briefly typing up the discussion we have....the idea as that if a member thinks of something to add they can go ahead and add it here on the blog, or that discussions can be continued in depth...

We will hopefully be able to get the notes posted on here as quickly as possible...please feel free to comment!!