By Corey Gilkes
April 14, 2011
I cyar keep up wit dis government nah, is from one thing straight to the next. Last Monday, one of the many announcements made by the Minister of Education was that there was going to be a review of the way religious education is taught in the nation’s schools. From all indications the aim is to create at the very least a greater understanding of the various faiths that exist in the country. Now it is no secret that I maintain a strong disapproval and dismissal of all organised religion; I consider all the major faiths to be bigoted, misogynist, patricentric murder cults, very authoritarian and largely steeped in anti-intellectualism. Like the very learned Denis Solomon I too consider religious education (oxymoron anyone?) to be a form of child abuse. But that’s MY opinion of them. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it is right and it definitely does not mean that everyone should adopt that stance.
Frankly I have no real issue with those who feel the need for religion or religious teachings to inform their lives and thoughts – I just have an issue with the simplistic bible-wavers who demean others or feel morally superior to those who hold a different view. The main ethnic groups in this country come from ancestral cultures that have or had very strong spiritual traditions that were by no means anti-intellectual or unscientific but merely couched them in the mantle of spirituality. Those so learned understood that the spiritual and the secular were complementary elements. This is one of the reasons why I cannot totally dismiss the notion of religion and spirituality (not the same thing) in the way that say, Kevin Baldeosingh would do. The ancestral traditions I come from were spiritual in every single aspect of their lives and placed no difference between the spiritual and the secular worlds. Religion – that is a formal institution defined by rigid rules called dogma, and in the patricentric authoritarian cultural ideas of Eurasia, views itself in opposition to other forms of worship – is decidedly un-African. Yet, insofar as it has been used in the Afri-Caribbean experience not least of which has been by providing the anchor and catalyst for much of the radicalism and agitation that resisted enslavement and colonial rule, it cannot and will not be treated with indifference by this writer.
Indeed I believe that the teaching of religious ideas in a way that enlightens the pupil about the history, nature and customs of their own faith as well as those of others will go a long way in fostering greater understanding and appreciation for these faiths and the wonderful diversity of humanity. This, hopefully, could lead to a lessening of the tension, insecurity and definitely the ignorance that has torn other places apart – and may yet tear this place apart if we are not careful.
For almost from the time the Honourable Minister made that announcement the reaction on the airwaves was somewhat swift and, unfortunately, predictable. One particular caller to the Power Breakfast programme on Power 102 more or less summed up much of what I heard on radio, in taxis and on the streets in casual conversations. The caller clearly disapproved of such an initiative. His reason? This would mean exposing his child to faiths that his faith and scripture teaches is “not of god.”
Now I know he did not formally speak on behalf of the Christian community (let’s face it, it’s mostly from Christians and Muslims you hear such stupid, bigoted ignorance), but by and large the ignorance he exuded is very much widespread in our society and is by no means limited to Christians and Muslims. I always remember overhearing a young woman years ago talking to her friend in the Carnegie Library. The goodly woman was telling her friend about her Hindu neighbour who had invited them over to something or the other and she said that she wasn’t going to eat anything sine “yuh know how dey does pray over dey food.” I also recall being invited to a charismatic Catholic service in the RC church in San Fernando just a few months after Dr Molly Ahye had her televised installation as an Orisa priestess. And it was to hear the priest, who I understand was not the rector of the church, wash he mouth on de oman. I mean you can almost feel the venom coming from every word.
So how long are we to let this go on? We seem to know more about the goings-on in far off places – and I’m not so sure of even that anymore – than we do about our own space and the people we share it with. How many reading this live next to or grew up with a Hindu, Orisa, or Christian household, went through the entire elementary, primary, secondary, perhaps even tertiary education system and cannot write three paragraphs about those faiths – but know very well that that faith is “not of god.” That fool’s statement should have been the reason to start the program in the morning.
Then again, that would have made a bad situation even worse. That caller’s ignorance and prejudice did not come out of thin air; it was no doubt put in his head by the modern-day men who are inspired by god, many of whom no better than their forbears of about 1900-odd years ago. The fact is a great many religious leaders are as ignorant about other faiths as their lay people are. And boy, how do they wave that ignorance like a badge of honour. As a matter of fact, speaking of the Christian denominations, a great many of them are ignorant about the history of their own faiths. Find that being unduly harsh? Ok. Tell me how many churches and evangelical tabernacles (are these people Christian or Jewish?) have begun to read and interpret the recently publicised and authenticated Gospel of Judas, which is older than the canonical gospels and which, like the Dead Sea Scrolls before it, will significantly alter the way Christian devotees understand the bible, Christianity and that historical period. Oho.
Frankly if there is to be comparative religious studies or religious instruction in schools I’m not sure how many of the current religious instructors should have anything to do with it. If all you are going to do is mouth the standard party line of your particular religious party, then you will do those children and the country a great, invaluable service by shutting up and learning – because you clearly have little to teach.
Of course, I’m well aware that all this is wishful thinking. The colonial system instilled a culture of anti-intellectual authoritarianism and religion was the principal vehicle. The only major change made after so-called Independence was that the new political and educated elite looked more like me than they did Prince Charles. It goes without saying that religion was as active in maintaining that unquestioning conformity to authoritarian, patriarchal rule as it has always been.
But, at the very least, it’s a start. If implemented, it may very well mark the beginning of a mindset that embraces critical thinking and analysis. Hopefully, it brings about a greater understanding of the many similarities of the various religions and, for now, I can live with that.
If it must be done, this is how you do it. (given freely, for all the blessings in my life).
Create a chart with columns and cross lines.
The top left hand corner say Major Religions of the world, and down that column they are listed in alphabetical order
Animism, Buddhism, Christianity,Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism,ending with Zoroastrianism.
In the across columns, you list the traits that characterize religions. Belief in one God,symbolic animal(cow, lamb, fish) Creator of the world, Fasting, Charity,Objects held sacred, Makes sacrifices, Holy day of the week,Major feast day,Other belief principles, Name of holy book, and so on…
Each class with be responsible for filling in the blank spaces. On the back of the chart- (laminated is best, but you’d have to provide the special pens that write on laminarted surfaces) are the “correct answers”.
Class discussions in social studies can tie the moral authority of governing a country, and creating just laws, with the moral authority of religious beliefs.History could become such fun.
Children will see, and alert, kind teacher will help them see, that many religions believe the same thing.
For example, all religions believe that a being or force more powerful than man created the universe, and that there are other dimensions in which beings live, besides the here and now.
In doing this project with my classes- I insist that world peace can be advanced through recognition of our commonalities(never mind that we cant do it on the rocks we call TnT)rather than accentuating our differences, I asked the question: Which religions believe or once believed in human sacrifice? In a mostly Christian group, they were offended when I pointed out Judeo-Christian beliefs. “Not true, we don’t eat people.”
“Now, what did God ask Abraham to do with his beloved son Isaac?” All right, go look it up. Shamefaced, they found it. Then I asked “Who goes to communion on Sundays?” Raised hands. “Well tell me if we say this ‘The Blood of our lord, the body of our Lord’. So, we eat him on Sundays, symbolically, because we once ate flesh that was considered sacred. We are no different from the Mayans, Incas and other ancient religions.
We used to love National Geographic and all those ancient bones found sacrificed up in the Himalayas and in the Andies, now we knew that we came from those belief systems also.
Religious education is not for the prosletysing of any faith, or to trump the superiority of any over another.
Its greatest value may well be in preparing children to live outside Trinidad and Tobago. It is obvious that our best export will continue to be people who could live successfully in a multi-cultural, multi-religious world.
In talking about religio-cultural conflict, the holy days are a significant discussion point. In Islamic countries, Thursday is like Saturday and Friday is Sunday, so if you travel there, you could be disoriented.
As for resurrection and re-incarnation? What fun to think that evil people could come back as an ugly frog, but then fairy tales have already covered that.
I reiterate that I am not “looking for wuk” maybe some intereted teacher, in some classroom in remote Tablelnd, or Blanchessiuse may read this and see that there is somethin worth doing here.
Of course the role of women would come into discussion. I will talk later on that much mligned woman of MAgdala, named Mary, Mirriam, Marion
I have nothing to say in reply, absolutely nothing
Ms Edward methinks I have to find wherever you are one of these days and exchange some serious ideas…..or rather draw from yours
Thanks as always
Keep religion out of schools
By Rajiv Gopie
Apr 15, 2011 – trinidadexpress.com
Part 1
• Singapore, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, Norway and the Netherlands — countries with the lowest crime rates in the world, less than 30 per cent of the people are religious.
• Colombia, Jamaica, Venezuela, Mexico, South Africa — countries with the highest crime rates in the world, more than 80 per cent of the people are religious.
LAST week, when I read there was some lunacy being floated around that religion was going to be taught in schools, I almost blew a gasket. I started to write my column only to realise it was being driven by disbelief and anger and not by logic, facts, figures and academic proof which are what I base my columns on. I cooled off, decided to read the arguments of the proponents and then respond rationally.
Examine the above data from the United Nations Criminal Justice Information Network, the CIA World Factbook and various national statistical agencies. Look closely at the countries that have the lowest crime rates and what does one notice? Then look at those with the worst crime rates. What does one notice? Yes, you are right — the most religious countries are the worst in terms of crime, whilst the lowest crime rates exist in countries that have large numbers of non-religious people — atheists and agnostics.
I read an interesting argument that T&T is experiencing a high murder rate because of moral and social decay and in some odd way this is connected to lack of religious education! Is anyone as confused as I am? To tell me that teaching religious studies in school is going to lessen crime is the equivalent of saying prayer will heal cancer and HIV. Well it has not and it is not going to.
Schools are supposed to be bastions of wisdom, places where facts, figures, science, history and truth reign supreme. Not places for children to learn about stories from books that have been proven wrong so many times one wonders why revised editions have not been put out. Do not get me wrong. Religious tolerance is a worthy trait and should be instilled. But this should be done through the teaching of the social sciences, history and philosophy; through theological studies that dissect and analyse and many cases disprove religious theories. Not through forcing children to listen to people yap for hours about things that have no factual basis.
Religious tolerance needs to be fostered though everyday interaction, cultural shows, exhibitions in school libraries etc, Not by forcing kids to zone out — and they will zone out — for an hour or so a week. If anything, kids will get more dismissive; if it is one thing that all people but more so children hate, it is to be forced to do anything.
What about the non-believers, the atheists and the agnostics? What will happen to them? I know as a humanist/agnostic myself, if someone had tried to teach me religion in secondary school I would have been thrown out of class more times than I was, because I would argue endlessly. But what about the other students not like me who will sit there in discomfort for hours, being told stories that belief in some form or another of God(s) is the way to heaven?
One may ask, how many non-believers are there in secondary school? Well, I interact with secondary school pupils online a lot. Any sample would show that while many are nominal members of some religion, most could not care less and believe even less. If you do not believe me ask a teenager if they really believe in what their religion says, the stories and myths. Be prepared for a surprise. They may say they are Hindu/Muslim/Christian, but only in name; they do not adhere to or believe most of what those religions teach.
What exactly is going to be taught? Is it a cursory review of the major religions? Is it their principles, because the principles of two of the largest Abrahamic religions (Islam and Christianity) in our country are fundamentally incompatible with the Kumbaya notion being peddled in the articles I read.
Those religions state that there is only one God — their God, there is only one way — their way and others will be cast to hell and fire and brimstone and so on. Is this what 14-year-olds are going to be told?
Which religions are going to be taught? There are many minorities in T&T including some Kabir Panth, Baha’i, Baptists and Jews. Are their faiths going to be taught? What of some of the lovely passages from those good books? Are the homophobic ones going to be mentioned? How will the gay/bisexual and lesbian youngsters feel? The passages that call for the stoning of disobedient children, the ones that call people infidels, the one that says kill the Jew under the rock, the one that says fire will come to burn those who do not believe?
We would like some answers. School is for advancement, not fairy tales. It has been proven time and time again that as education increases, religion decreases, development increases and crime decreases. The teaching of religion is best left to the home and to the society that must demonstrate the values they preach.
It makes no sense to have children learn about religion and then the imams, pastors and pundits go lambasting other faiths and either calling for them to repent, convert or be prepared for hell. What should be thought in school is knowledge grounded in facts and reality. With this knowledge comes power and this power crushes the illusion of religion. From this only good things come forth.
• Rajiv Gopie won the President’s Medal for business studies/modern studies in 2006. He is an HBA candidate in International Studies and Social/Cultural Anthropology at the University of Toronto
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Keep_religion_out_of_schools-119895339.html
Corey, you know them same old people governments and them always talking about putting out to pasture? Well it allows for ruminating, and philosophical observations. They should gather the enders periodically to listen to their proposed solutions. They have seen much.
Thanks for the comment. That will put a certain other commenter in a stew, but at 70, one sees more clearly, in the minds eye, how things are linked together.
I once told some trini that Sapodilla, Balata and Star-apples are related. “Nonsense,” he said. “Nothing of the sort” I simply pointed out that he should look at the leaves- all a dark glistening green with brown undersides, and look at the seeds. Jet black, oval shaped with white eyes.
He was speechless for a minute before changing the subject.
As an elder too, I know what has worked for people of my generation. People compliment me n the ease with which I could relate to people of every age, skin colour an belief system. I commend the Trinidad I grew up in, and the education I got at the hands of both my countries for free, for all that I am.
The same clowns who wanted to shut down all SDA churches and schools in T&T, as well as demand that the government of the day cease funding to the latter, because the Southern Caribbean University wanted to enforce their neo spiritual policies, to ensure it’s stellar Christian values are maintained. Yes , the same solid values ,that kept folks like myself-from post slavery dysfunctional homes – on straight and narrow. Then this is part of the result of 48 years appeasement by pseudo African Christian leaders such as Deffy Eric, Clueless Chambers, ANR the Tobago traitor, and Manning the UWI geologist comedian , with illusions
of being the second coming of Dada Williams.
Don’t know who to despise more across my country , Black political elites that collectively did narda for Black folks like themselves, or their ungrateful Indian rivals- with their alleged greatest culture on the planet mantra -too pompous to give credit where it is due as far as national successes, or take some blame for many of the corruption, mayhem , a
nd social destruction, their country is stuck in , and destined so to be for another 5 decades. What’s funny, or rather ironic, is that the typical legacy protectors, are of the view that this systematic assault we see today on all rights of Afro Trini folks is some aberration that was concocted 2 days ago before Queen K caught a flu that would require another expensive trip abroad. No you ‘naive psycho babbling , intellectual miscreants,’ it started while they were floundering in the political wilderness , and dreaming of power,yes? http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,TTO,4562d94e2,45f1480628,0.html What’s the price of real estate in Dominica, as I am starting to hate this land of my birth? Ok , I will give the experiment another 2 to 3 years ,and pray that we don’t have a Sri Lankan, Fiji, Rwanda, Nigeria,Uganda, or Yugoslavia tribal love/ hate feast, yes?
“Thanks for the comment. That will put a certain other commenter in a stew”
Lord, like I always starting or getting tie up in some bacchanal *smiles*
But Rajiv’s article as far as I see is spot on; there is very little I will argue with although I still think there should be some sort of teaching of religion — in the form of comparative studies — at school level IN ORDER TO start the proces of breaking the hold many romanticised de-contextualised ‘nansy stories’ still over many people in this country.
Just back from my poetry reading session with a Unitarian group. We were doing the poetry of Marlowe”Dr. Faustus” and a few others. You talk about nancy story? The churches use fear to control people. They all do. Perhaps an open discussion, knowledge based would reduce the offerings i the collectio plate, but a freer a Trinichild would be the product.
When I said today the the Woman odf Magdala was a businesswoman, called a “public woman” as in Mathew the Publican(tax collector) the others cheered. This woman slept in the open, or whereever night caught her as she travelled with caravans to purchase and sell goods. She was not the prostitute depicted by religion, and jealous male apostles. How liberating it might have been for me to know that at fourteen, instead of discovering it in my late forties.But there are some who still have not found that out.
“an open discussion, knowledge based would reduce the offerings i the collectio plate, but a freer a Trinichild would be the product”
That’s the problem right there: “knowledge based.” Most of what passes for discussion dealing with religion (hell, even politics) is often devoid of serious intellectual depth.
So far it seems the biggest problem as put forward is what constitutes a religion. We have just come around the corner to recognising some religions that I have seen around since I was a ‘mere’ child. Maybe then Atheism should be recognised a a religion. Then the various atheist thoughts could be broken down into other religions or are we going to call them cults. When do cults become religions.
Are the children going to be tested on this stuff?? And, is it that each child will have his own preference of religion on which to take the test or will all the children have to take a different religion each semester?? And thus be conversant with all religions. Define all?
I say leave religion out of school if it is not already part of the school agenda. It is a power play that we will see change hands and we will not like it.
Still gloating on Trini Center about your fine learning, eh Madame L. I wonder what our Vienna friend , Uncle Sigmund Freud would have said about that ,if he had a chance to lay you down on his secret ,back room couch, to fully examine your horns?
Does it matter if she was a prostitute ,Jezebel, Mary ,kissing Jesus feet,one of King Solomon’s 5000 concubines , Eve being ravaged by a snake in the East African Garden of life,the mistress of his King David , who slaughtered one of his own soldiers , in effort to steal his wife away, or Martha slaving away in the kitchen trying to jealously entice Jesus away from her sister, or two women fighting over a dead child, and needing the fine wisdom of a mighty wise male Solomon , to solve the riddle. There is not a section of your great Bible ,where women are portrayed in any favorable light, and in actuality, to be a good Christian woman , requires total subjugations to males , if the said Bible is to be accepted.
In essence ,no different from the Koran,where women are relegated even lower than foot cloths. I nearly had a fight approximately 2 weeks ago with a Nigerian Hausa Muslim buddy of mind, for suggesting that even dogs are given higher stats than women ,according to Mohammed doctrinaire interpreters.
As for Hinduism, well the Caste system supersedes everything that is projected, so women must find their own way in that mix.
Unless of course, they were born in Sweet , Sweet , T&T , aka Rainbow Country , during the past 48 years , of democracy , peace ,and acceptance/ protection of basic, fundamental, Human Rghts. Hey , don’t tell azz soul.
As Brother Starlin said , same head from White evil Colonials , to self seeking African bums , and now … fill in de Blanks ……, ehhhh Corey ? Race mongrels out of power crying like constipated cats in the night, but now in charge, pushing the same thing the accused others of.Not a squeak from their early ancestors , as all were then silent like lambs when dem same Europeans were treating them like 12 th class, outcast citizens – that is , until August 31st 1962, and you know why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkas7MpxxdU&feature=related
Neal, your problem, my child, is that you keep talking about “love country,not tribe” but people who try to uphold and push country forward, you cut them down at every turn, always revertinfd to some stupid sexual imagery”lay you down on couch, examine horns” and such foolish postulations.
Now., go check on my old reading teacher, 95 year old Mrs. Emmnuel, who can still recite from memory, some of the poems we learned in school, as I can. I have always said that the only person in life who could keep you back, is the teacher who taught you to read. That’s Mrs. Emmanuel. She also once told me that the nobodies always talk about the somebodies. Does this explain your need to constantly comment on what I say, while trying to cut it down? Keep trying. You have given yourself a life woork.
“from his brimstone bed at break of day, a-walking the devil is gone, to visit his fat little farm on earth, and see how his crop goes on…
and the devil did grin, for his darling sin, is pride that apes humility.”
Some people spend their time arguing stupid s..t over ah rum, some read and discuss what they read, some try to help push humanity forward, one small area at a time. Choices. Its what life is about.
No one can treat you as an inferior, unless you allow yourself to be so treated.I would lke all the children of my country to know that.
“Does this explain your need to constantly comment on what I say, while trying to cut it down? Keep trying. You have given yourself a life woork.”Madame L That’s where you get it wrong my lady.Your empty utterances means absolutely nothing to me, but I get such sadistic pleasure in poking fun at you and similar elites for obvious reason. I can detect, self serving , egotistical frauds like yourself a mile off Madam L. I told you once ,and a million times before – ‘stay in your lane,’ when driving on the information highway for this is not your Standard 1 teacher Mr Baboolal, that used to beat you mercilessly , amongst other things ,to ensure that you can recite ‘OH Mary call the cattle Home,’ or that rabid Irish Nun, Sister Mc Gradey, that tortured you ,and all the girls from your high school in Matlot,while teaching you decadent ways. One good advice , deserves another, and here it is. Stay away from my commentaries -as stupid as they might sound – as they were not meant for your edification, and guess what , I would do the same for yours. Is that a deal?
I have no problem with religion being a curricular subject based on the examination of cultural mores and practices. Intrinsic to the understanding of our differences, the prisms through which we see the world and form our opinions of good and bad, right and wrong, is being able to trace and understand the diverse belief systems that shaped our cultures. Where the inclusion of subjects in the curriculm become disruptive as an educational tool, is when one or more is elevated and presented as a factual accounting of the beginnings of human kind, and others, because they happen to be associated with a specific group, are relegated to the dustbin of history.
For example, among the recognizable offshoots of Christianity is Mormonism. This religious belief system segues subjectively from Christian doctrine, with stories that are not part of the traditional Christian Teachings:
The Book of Mormon is a book of LDS scripture that takes place during the same time as the Bible and takes place on the American continent. It follows the stories of two tribes who descended from the family of Lehi. After Jesus’ resurrection LDS people believe he visited the peoples of the Americas.
3 Nephi 11: 7-12
7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
Now I have no problem with this per se. People have a right to interpret their spiritual beginnings on a group level, and provided it does not intrude on mine or another’s, I say live and let live. Where the problem lies is in inequality of recognition of such rights.
For example, Rastafarianism which is also a cultural interpretation of Christianity, no different than mormonism in terms of being influenced by group association, is not given the same kind of recognition as Mormonism. In fact Rastas are persecuted, stereotyped, dismissed as being crazy, profiled, dismissed out of hand. Why? Of course, while Mormonism is cultured in European racial enclaves, Rastafarianism is associated with Africans, black people. In this context, a dreadlocked hairstyle is universally perceived as more anti social as polygamy.
I was born into and grew up in a Christian household, or more accurately, a household with a spirituality grounded in the Christian Religious Belief system. I spent the first 16 years of my life with Gods and Jesus’ all seeing eye on my back, influencing my actions and thoughts even when there were no earthly authority figures nearby. But as I grew older I began to learn that world was not comprised of believers traditioned into a reasoning that we were the products of an alliance between people ejected from a garden of Eden.
That did not sever me from my affinity with Christian teachings, and I mean those entrenched in the beatitudes. I have not read, learned, or heard of anything, even remotely, as studiously non threatening, all inclusive and tolerant as the alleged speech delivered to a multitude from a mountain top. And while I will never be at the front, or even in the midst, of any chest beating loud praying demonstration proclaiming our Christian Fealty, the purity in that message will remain with me for the rest of my days upon this here earth.
So we shall see where this effort goes. Whether it is designed to enhance and promote understanding, or to become a vehicle for religious opportunism and triumphalism.
As we approach the end of the Lenten season, and as those other people of the book, Judaists,observe Passover- the same feast that took Christ on that fateful trip to Jerusalem,let us hope that all my Trini people, of whatever faith, observe a period of fasting, penitence, meditation and calm. There is so much anger in the place, people jumping in other people’s face. Two Man-Rats finding the hole too small for them both, and the media lapping it up to sell more papers. I would like to pretend to be a referee or a teacher, or both and send all warring parties to their own corners for a mandatory time -out, so they ould observe the passing of the spirit of the Prince of Peace.In all the countries where our people originated, people are at each other’s throats.
A period of quiet would do all spiritual people, a world of good.
Only the President of the Republic seems to be maintining the decorum of ofice. I salute him for his role as a quiet mentor to all adults, far less our youth.
A happy and holy Easter to all.It’s not about chocolate or the Easter Bunny, but a time of spiritual renewal and cleansing, from which all could benefit.