Tuesday, December 18, 2007

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

While talking to Potentate about the word celibacy, I remarked that it made me think of monks and nuns. Then, when I thought about nuns, I thought about the Sound of Music. For the nuns in that musical, celibacy is a chosen lifestyle that brings fulfillment and happiness. There is a very strong sense of community, and their celibacy works because of that. They are able to deny themselves of things that most people consider part of life because they deny themselves together.

That is what celibate Mohos need. Gay Latter-day Saints need a community where they can choose to live in righteous celibacy. Perhaps within the Moho blogosphere population there could be a similar community, even if only on the Internet, but I think we need something more. In this community celibate Mohos would develop strength through shared self denial, spiritual experience and belief, and passion for a cause. Everyone helps each other to live the life that they believe is right for them, just like the with the nuns.

But even the nuns have a problem-- Maria. She just doesn't fit in as a nun-- not wired for the lifestyle. I think I am Maria. I can't do the whole nun thing. So how do you solve a problem like Maria?
I planned on ending the post there, but after sharing it with Potentate, he brought up a really important point that lead me down a thought path I have to share. He said that unlike the Mohos, the nuns weren't attracted to each other. And that certainly makes sense-- a valid monkey wrench in the theory. But the comment made me wonder- what if the nuns did have same gender attractions?

If I were a lesbian nun in the Sound of Music, I don't think I would have any problems at all. Except, of course, for Julie Andrews. That is why they sent her off to be a babysitter far away from the convent! Being so attractive, she was making it difficult for the lesbian nuns at the convent who were trying to be celibate. They solved the problem by sending her away. This would mean that I also must not be a part of the moho celibate community then. I would make it far too difficult for all of you that are trying to be faithful. Thus, for the greater good, I withdraw myself to the hills of Austria where I will run away with a dashing husband.

7 comments:

Abelard Enigma said...

They solved the problem by sending her away

Yes, but when her world came crashing down, where did she return to?

You'll always have a place here in the Mormon queerosphere - with or without a husband.

I actually think your idea of a virtual community, a virtual Mormon monastery, is an idea worth discussing more. True, in a convent most of the nuns probably don't all have the hots for each other. That's why making it a virtual community can be an advantage. Not having continual physical proximity can help keep certain feelings at bay.

draco said...

How do you keep a wave upon the sand? Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

Abelard Enigma said...

I remember when the movie version of "The Sound of Music" first came out. I was 9 years old. I recall going to see the movie, at least, 3 times (at a time when it was very uncommon to see the same movie more than once). Plus my parents took me to see a local theatrical production. I would walk around my house singing some of the songs.

Why did it take me another 40 years to realize and accept I was gay ???

playasinmar said...

9-years-old? Abelard, you must be 1000 by now! ;P

Abelard Enigma said...

you must be 1000 by now!

Hardy har har!

I'm as old as the hills are alive with the sound of music ...

draco said...

haha- when i was little, the sound of music was my FAVORITE movie! i used to watch it and then rewind it and watch it again. 5 1/2 hours of julie andrews :)

One of So Many said...

This would mean that I also must not be a part of the moho celibate community then. I would make it far too difficult for all of you that are trying to be faithful.

In the temptation context you put that in...SOMEbody's got an ego. Can anyone else fit in the same room as it Peter?

Ok just so it's not misconstrued (as I'm not actually saying it), the above paragraph would be said in a kind of teasing and eyes-rolling sarcastic kind of tone. Playful as opposed to mean spirited.