Great discussion last night on "Born this Way" by Lady Gaga.

To recap.  First we checked out the lyrics to her song noting where we saw connections to our own beliefs/faith and where they missed the mark.  Then we watched the Born this Way Video.  We discussed A LOT about this video -- its imagery, how it changes the song meaning, etc.  Especially interesting was the note that there is some disconnect between the beautiful people used in the video and singing about being born this way. . .In addition, it was noted that Lady Gaga sings about being born this way while totally creating a new persona (including hair dying, underweight, etc).  Is being born this way accepting only who you are on the inside or both accepting the beauty of your outer self as is also?

We looked at the following scriptures
1.  Skim Genesis 1, focus esp 1:26 - 31
2.  Skim Psalm 139, focus esp 139:1 - 7, 13 - 16
3.  Gal. 3: 23 - 29, esp 3:26 - 28

We discussed how these connected, expanded, and challenged the song's imagery and language.

There were also connections made to the second creation account in Genesis 2 - 3 and the beginning of the video that discusses both the birth of good and of evil.

This morning I was thinking, however, a reread of Genesis 1 where it says over and over 'God created  . . . and it was good' is an interesting juxtaposition to the beginning of the video that insists on the necessity of the birth of evil.

There was also good discussion about what it means to be created in God's image (Genesis, male and female) as that relates to sexuality and what does it mean that there is no longer male nor female (Galatians).

Also discussed was how people view Lady Gaga in general -- praying for her return to faith, calling her the Antichrist, etc. . .and the reality that something about the church was what drove her from the church (probably the same praying for her salvation and calling her the Antichrist).  Again, I wonder the only thing that could be the 'anti-Christ' is something that we elevate to that power in our own lives. . .

What does it mean for both male and female to be created in God's image and/or God to embody both male/female perhaps simultaneously as part of God's being?

Stay tuned for next week. . .and Judas.