Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

Killed by a stingray...

"He died how he Lived" May he rest in peace.

Nineisone, I see what you're saying, but there's still a very large difference between what a state (a non-living entity) and a person thinks, says, does, and can converse about. With respect to the OP's question, people make the difference, not the state. I suppose it matters in that a place like Iran with religious police walking around, or in Cuba with plainclothes state agents, you wouldn't want to be causing grief discussing certain ideas openly in the streets, but now that's a political issue and not one of personal philosophy or belief.

[lozwich]

[roadwalker]

Wow, lots more responses today! Oh, kangeroos and cocodrilos.

Thanks for the tip about Santiago, Melee. I haven't had much contact with Chileans, but the fact that they just elected a 'fallen woman' as their president says something about their attitude. I was thinking maybe Buenas Aires or Montevideo might be good locations due to their reputation as more European, but I don't have any real knowledge about either.

On the other hand, finding a non-religious nirvana is no doubt a pipe dream. Cuba, would be interesting, but I have a little fear in the back of my head that the US govt would find out about it and upon my return would snatch me up and send me to ....Guantanamo! Plus, I haven't searched past threads, but it would not seem to be a place to make a living. I've only met a few Cubans but I wouldn't say they are irreligious. One I met was heavily into the local religion, the name of which escapes me. Santaria?

And I did enjoy the Crocodile Hunter. He was quite entertaining and informative, too. Personally I hope to die of old age.

[lozwich]

Something just occurred to me that reminds me why I love Australia. Melee asked if Steve Irwin was murdered. Yeah, sure we have our fair share of that, but I can't remember the last time someone who was famous was murdered.

As for Montevideo, someone once told me it was a very conservative and boring place. Not been there myself, but even if the people are non religious you might find conservative coming from other areas. I've heard similar murmurs about Santiago as well.

People in Colombia are largely Catholic, but most people I've met are non-practising. Often when we have a public holiday, I ask people what its for, what the religious basis is and so on, and often I get a "I dunno" kind of disinterested answer. No-one here cares about my religious orientation, and there are lots of things like Buddhist centres, yoga classes and vegetarian restaurants around. I get the impression that people are quite open to different ideas.

And that's one of the things I love about Colombia.

[ls650]

[Justin Trullinger]

[roadwalker]

I got nothing against Mormons. It isn't like some of my best friends are Mormon, but I am related to a few. Many are nice people. If you ever need a lot of guys to help you move on a Saturday morning who won't show up hungover, this is the church for you! (At least until Saturday night.) In terms of beliefs, they are no better or worse than any other theology, though their post-New Testament scriptures kind of run up against known history in a way that can't be as blurred as the Old and New Testaments of other Christian religions. I do like that they use bicycles for two years. It isn't much, but it is a start.

Actually, there is one major Mormon-free zone Esl country- China. They don't send missionaries there, although they do send them to Taiwan. That is one of the things I liked about teaching in China besides the food. That is, I am for religious freedom, but it was a nice break for me personally. China is not likely in the near future to let in Mormon or Roman Catholic missionaries without a major carrot/stick combo. It is not the doctrine they care about, it is the power over peoples lives that religion can assume: The govt wants that power thank you very much.

Crikey! I'm off topic. Sorry mates!

[RyanS]

[lozwich]

I've never heard of peanut butter being translated and aired on Cuban TV...

[Guy Courchesne]

Peanut butter doesn't speak very clearly in any language - I wouldn't be surprised if it had an interpreter at major functions and was translated on tv and radio.

[Perpetual Traveller]

[lozwich]

[RyanS]

I didn't understand a word of that.