Help a dude in need?

[ManRalf]

I'm a bonafide Swedish ordained dudeist priest in need of my fellowdudes sage council.

I'm studying to become a teacher in history and religion, and right now I'm in the progress of writing my bachelor's degree.

I'm writing about Dudeism, the first one in Sweden to write about this subject so hopefully I'm blazing the trail for many others to come.

So what I'm hoping for here is to get to pick the brains of my fellow Dudeists, to see what makes a dudeist tick, and what not.

Right now I'm looking into a few of the forums about the topic gender for instance. Right now in Sweden there is a pretty heated public debate about genderless pronouns.
I'm curious about how my fellow dudeists think about this, and if Dude can be interpreted as just such a pronoun?

[meekon5]

After much debate here (due to allegations of Dudeism being phallocentric) it was generally agreed that the accepted nomenclature was Dude for either sex, like actor (actors have generally dropped the "actress" title in favour of the none gender specific use of "actor") or Doctor.

You will find here we are in favour of whatever you want to call yourselves but we do try to discourage the use of "Dudette", or "Dudess" when talking about people of the female persuasion who are ordained Dudes.

[Rev. Ed C]

Being a card-carrying, flag-flying egalitarian, I'm proud of what Dudeism stands for on the gender-equality issue.

Just because we attract more men to the fold isn't a conscious effort on our part.  Much like any religion or political faction you can't help where your base comes from, even if you'd welcome anyone and everyone.

Also, on the same subject... France has just recently abolished the term Mademoiselle, so all women are Madams now.  Unlike the UK, France never had a term like Ms. that doesn't defer to marital status.

Personally I've never liked the term Mrs.  It implies that the woman is Mr's property.  And lets not get started on the connotations of the terms bride and bridegroom... and husband

[DigitalBuddha]

In reality, there are human beings, of which about half are of the male persuasion and half the female persuasion, BUT, both are human. The word "woman" is from a term meaning "man with a womb," or "womb'd-man...women. Both are human, one equipped by nature to be a special lady friend and conceive, man. The other equipped to, as the dude says; "I'm just helping her conceive, man!"

Pursuant to that; I see the word "dude" NOT as a designation of gender, but rather a definition of a chosen way of life, a philosophy, a many roaded path having nothing to do with the ability to conceive and give birth (as awesome as that is). We are dudes because we choose to be so, our gender is something that we had no say in and no choice in the matter, therefore dude has nothing to do with what plumbing we have. Dude is a belief system, a point of view, a path to walk and explore, and is gender neutral.

That does not mean to say that as a female form dude you will see things as a male dude, oh contraire; the gender of a dude should be respected and valued for the uniqueness both offer. It could be said that having both male and female dudes really ties the religion together. Both are important; a kind of ying and yang of dudeism.

Some female form dudes choose to be called "dudettes" or "dudess," that is of course their freedom to do so. I myself would self apply neither term because I'm male in persuasion with what would appear to be the wrong plumbing for such terms.

All in IMHO.

[Rev. Ed C]

In reality, there are human beings, of which about have are of the male persuasion and half the female persuasion, BUT, both are human. The word "woman" is from a term meaning "man with a womb," or "womb'd-man...women. Both are human, one equipped by nature to be a special lady friend and conceive, man. The other equipped to, as the dude says; "I'm just helping her conceive, man!"

That's inner-estin'... I knew that using the world "man" for a male is a fairly recent thing in the English language.  The old term being were, as in Were & Wife (now man & wife) and Werewolf (ie, manwolf or wolfman).

I predominantly use man for "human".  It's the old way, the traditional way.  Terms like mankind and the race of man.  That's not gender biased, that's just etymology in action.

The thing to remember is that males and females are different, but that doesn't mean they're not equal.  All humans are different, but, as some wise Europeans once agreed in writing, upon their founding of some small country over to the west somewhere... "All men are created equal".

In dudeism there are no levels, no classes, no ranks... just dudes, whatever their shape, size, colour, density, polarity... or even gender.  And there's no maybe about that, I'm sure

[DigitalBuddha]

In reality, there are human beings, of which about have are of the male persuasion and half the female persuasion, BUT, both are human. The word "woman" is from a term meaning "man with a womb," or "womb'd-man...women. Both are human, one equipped by nature to be a special lady friend and conceive, man. The other equipped to, as the dude says; "I'm just helping her conceive, man!"

That's inner-estin'... I knew that using the world "man" for a male is a fairly recent thing in the English language.  The old term being were, as in Were & Wife (now man & wife) and Werewolf (ie, manwolf or wolfman).

I did not know that. Cool stuff, Rev.

[ManRalf]

Great, thanks for the feedback dudes. Gotta ask you fine gentlemen if it is alright for me to use your sage words in my paper? Sorta a dude on the street perspective on all things dudelike?

Got alot of questions that I'm curious about when it comes to Dudeism.
One of the more pressing questions at the moment is again the question about Dudeism as a religion.

Came across a blog today where someone calling him/herself one pissed off veteran. The blog lists "mock" religions like Church of the Sub Genius, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Church of Reality.

Hence lumping Dudeism in with what the dude in question labels as mock religions. Now i might be taking this abit too serious, but what are my fellow dudes view on this?

Is Dudeism a mock religion, or is it something else? Is it possible to mention the flying pasta monster and The Dude in the same sentence?

Ive understood that there is some people that mean that the term religion is all about rules and dogmas and dont want it applied to Dudeism.

So what I'm curious about is how big of a role dudeism plays in your respective lives. Do you share pissed off veteran's view and think of it as "just" a mock religion or is it something beyond that?

[DigitalBuddha]

One of the more pressing questions at the moment is again the question about Dudeism as a religion.

I see Dudeism as a path to take and explore, not a religion. Religion has a feel of rules, regulations, con artists, limited thinking and self styled authority figures claiming power over other people. Religions sucks. Having said that, I believe that a person can be spiritual and not religious. Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, etc., can all be religious or spiritual. Both is possible.

For me, dudeism is a path of many roads to explore and have an adventure on. Fuck religion, its for people who want other people telling them how to live and think. Dudeism, as I see it, is for thinkers.

[cckeiser]

In my opinion....Dudeism is not a mock religion as much as it mocks religion. Which is much the purpose of the "mock" religions your pissed off vet vents about. Could it be he is pissed because we are mocking his beliefs?
Once again...in my opinion...dudeism is a philosophy...a way to live life...much as the Tao is. But then I define a religion as a belief with a deity and a dogma.

[Caesar dude]

Dudeism is not a mock religion as much as it mocks religion.

Well played sir. Very well played.

[DigitalBuddha]

Dudeism is not a mock religion as much as it mocks religion.

Well played sir. Very well played.

Dudeism is also a good reason to say "fuck it, I'm going bowling."

[Rev. Ed C]

Great, thanks for the feedback dudes. Gotta ask you fine gentlemen if it is alright for me to use your sage words in my paper? Sorta a dude on the street perspective on all things dudelike?

Sure, quote on.  If I said it, I said it, and there's no escaping it

Is Dudeism a mock religion, or is it something else? Is it possible to mention the flying pasta monster and The Dude in the same sentence?

Ive understood that there is some people that mean that the term religion is all about rules and dogmas and dont want it applied to Dudeism.

So what I'm curious about is how big of a role dudeism plays in your respective lives. Do you share pissed off veteran's view and think of it as "just" a mock religion or is it something beyond that?

I know I don't always hold such commonly-held views on these subjects, but I'll throw them into the pot, seeing as you ask

I'd say Dudeism is not a mock religion, and it doesn't really mock other religions at all.  Maybe it does, and I'm in the wrong building here, but I've tried to open the floor for movement away from groups like the Pastafarians, who seek to mock religion because they're anti-religion.

As a Dudeist I don't see any room for mocking others (in fact I'd go so far as to suggest that sort of thing might actually be undude... and in fact I have done so in the past).  Making light, yes, mocking, no.  We're not here to piss around for the sake of it, but that doesn't mean we can't piss around whilst we're here, if you understand my distinction

We have a relaxed and open attitude to religion, be it our own or others' (once again, that's not always the popular opinion), in fact we're not so much a mock religion as a personalised culmination of religions.  We're not out to poke fun, we're out to respectfully make use of the positives of established religions that got there before us on many key Dudely points, and smile as we do so.  Just because we laugh doesn't mean we're laughing at the expense of anyone else (or at least it shouldn't).

I feel mock is the wrong word.  We're not a mock religion, we're an open religion, a lighthearted religion, a religion that's serious about not being so serious, we're a philosophy-over-rules religion... certainly.

Of course, that's all IMDO, but that's more like what Dudeism is to me.  It's my way, and if others mock me, fuck 'em, but I won't stoop to being the mocker myself.  Exist and let exist, I say

[ManRalf]

Rev, you just went and put some sprickles on what seems to be a pretty good day. I've come fro m a long talk with my, for lack of better words mentor and he thinks that writing about dudeism is a interesting idea, and that it seems like there is a rich plethora of ideas and deep thoughts among the dudely ranks. I for one can only agree with this.

Loving all the feedback, keep it coming.
Its intresting to see the tolerence that surrounds the dudeist worldview, the whole acceptanceof "its just my opinion man" is something seems to encompass the dudely way of life.

Its interesting to read what you have to say about your takes on Dudeism.

Especially the diffrent takes on what Religion is all about. I hear alot of talk about rules and dogmas, things that is applied to Christianity and Islam to name two.

I'm not certain, but i think it was Ames that said ?Religion is the consciousness of the highest social values? its both simplistic and adapteble all at the same time.

Its is one of the defentions i'm working from during my paper. Curious though about what your thoughts about what sorta social values can be viewed as "central/important" in Dudeism. Im using central and improtant here knowing that its all about individual opinions.

[cckeiser]

 "Curious though about what your thoughts about what sorta social values can be viewed as "central/important" in Dudeism. Im using central and improtant here knowing that its all about individual opinions."

Take er easy and Don't be a Dick.

[Rev. Ed C]

Yeah, as CC says, it's a point of contention that refuses to be ironed out, and probably simply can't be

We were heating up the metal and pressing hard against the cloth over here some time ago:

http://dudeism.com/smf/index.php?topic=2622.0

The key topic for Abidist Enquiry about what's the pure core of Dudeism, the zen-factors of our core philosophy.  Needless to say, we tried to forge a perfect circle and found that at the heart of Duedism was actually more of a shapeless splodge.  But then again, what did we expect?