BPAL Cheapens My Religion!
It's been a while since we've had BPAL wank, hasn't it? This is still pretty small and relatively civil compared to past BPAL wankery but it's still entertaining.
Last night, the lab made a big update to their general catalogue. Ayodele expresses her discomfort with some of the new blends:
The recent updates really increased my feeligns of unease about the appropriateness of commercializing cultural icons, like the Orishas and Loas. For some people these might just be nifty ideas but for people who actually have a commited practice in ATRs (African Traditional Religions) the importance of dealing with them respectfully is quite serious.
There's some agreement, some polite disagreement and respectful debating, and
a bit of passive-aggressive sniping on both sides.
Then Beth, BPAL's creator a.k.a.
Kebechet on LJ,
responds very angrily. In fact, she's so offended and indigant that she
makes a whole new entry to respond again. Commenters rush to tell her how perfect she is and defend her besmirched honor, complete with the requisite "they're just jealous!" accusation. So far, nobody has had the nerve to debate her in her own entry, although the OP of the first entry is still arguing her points.
As I said, small by BPAL wank standards, but still satisfying and has the potential to grow with Beth's involvement.