Communitas and Movies Pt 2- the other day I watched the movie "Almost Famous" with my 12 year old son. I know it's Rated R , but Life is Rated R. The movie was full of "cussing" and a few "boobies" were shown, but the movie has a very redemptive quality to it- that makes sifting through these things more than worth it. I grew up in a very legalistic environment where it was a sin to watch these types of movies. Everyone did- but they just "confessed" afterwards that they shouldn't have. That's always seemed funny to me that the "sin" is magically erased just b/c we say a few words. back to the story- Zach and I sat and watched this movie together. I'll save what we loved from the movie for another time. there is a great redemptive communal theme in this movie. The band is constantly fighting over who is the "best" or "most important" (I read once a story of a bunch of guys who constantly have that same argument- they were called the 12 disciples:O ). In their pride they had constant struggles, but they were struggles beyond just their own internal wrestlings. Even in the meta narratives of the story there were conflicts with a young boy and his mother, his sister and the mother, he and his dream girl and her lover. Everywhere: CONFLICT! What would life be without any conflict? I know Peace is often seen as the absence of conflict- but isn't the struggles of real life (even wicked life) part of what brings us together? Or at least what makes our togetherness real, authentic and durable? It seems that battling through the demons (loosely meant-not using this in the ghostly sense) in our lives together -that is what Creates not just community- but communitas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communitas). What brings about the type of community where people lay their lives down for each other- is not a gathering of people in a comfortable building in a nice neighborhood, but rather a group of people who have fought and endured a real struggle together. Moving beyond the barrage "f" bombs and boobies-the movie portrays the redemption of community- not perfect community-but redeemed community. And watching that movie with my son sparked an on going conversation of what it means to be family. This is REAL! Zach is going into JR and no doubt "boobies" will be something on his mind over the next several years (by several I mean......forever!)- but I hope that he and I can combat whatever darkness there is in those thoughts, and live in the marvelous light of Christ- IN COMMUNITAS- Real Authentic Community-where struggles are real, pain is assured, falling down is imminent- but togetherness is REDEMPTION! The night ended in a "cruise" in the car with the ipod jamming to some Supertramp (not your mom), beatles, and of course Zepplin! Something bout singing "tangerine" brings me and the Zach together. Great times Zach! Magical! Aspiring to be An Afflux of Authentic Life because I'll die otherwise!