I'm new... (hell, America, agnostic, divorce, point of view)

[Amlaith]

I'm a student of philosophy and literature. I was born in the western part of Berlin in the early 80's (1983). There are only a few things I can remember well about the Berlin Wall. The border controls were stern and the GDR custom officers were unfriendly in every kind you can imagine. For a six-year old child it was really frightening and I know my thoughts about this, nonetheless I didn't understand the reasons, were that something is terribly wrong in this world. We travelled to the Saarland, where my mother was born and the parents of my mother live. My parents got divorced in the early 90's and both decided it would be better if I live with my grandparents in the peaceful Saar region. Till today I think the decision was right, because I had a good childhood there, even though I missed my parents. Otherwise I think it isn't something exceptional nowadays. At least here in Germany. I like the special relationship the citizens of the Saar have to France. Some of my ancestors were french, so I am very glad about the German-French reconciliation. It's a personal request for myself.

With about seven years I finally moved to the Saarland, which is located in the south west of the country, near the french border (which is about 10 minutes away). I am still living here today, but due to the high unemployment rate in Germany I want to leave the country. My Mother now lives in South Africa.

I'm here to discuss my personal thoughts about religion and of course to improve my language skills. It 's certainly something different to express a point of view than only to read english texts. So if I often may sound weird, don't hesitate to tell me what was wrong about my statement.

Religion:
In my childhood my faith to god was strong. Later I got influenced by German philosophers like Nietzsche, Kant (Actually my avatar is a picture of Kant) and especially Feuerbach. I would describe myself as an agnostic, even though I sometimes sympathize with pantheism. I suppose this is most likely caused by Goethe, which I admire very much.

Music:
From modern soundtracks to classic music (Beethoven, Schnittke, Ligeti, Mozart, Bach, Haydn (The only person who really could bring me back to christianity. His masses are incredibly beautiful.) to Jazz,Irish Folk, Rock and even sometimes Pop.

I also want to thank sunstone and michel for their welcome.

I hope my introduction was ok, though it was may be a bit too personal.

[Ormiston]

Hello. I find your English to be very nice. It's much better than my German. Gutten Tag.

[Aqualung]

Welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy it here, but I think you will. You english is pretty good, but I know how uncomfortable it can be to try to use it in a forum. I sometimes post in Spanish forums, and I really hesitate to express myself. I hope you will discuss/debate more freely than I feel inclined to do in foreign languages.

[michel]

I hope my introduction was ok, though it was may be a bit too personal.

That was a lovely into. And please don't worry, you can never be too personal here, we're like one big family; the more we know about each other, the better friends we become.

You sound as if you have led an interesting life. I wonder if you speak French ? - I do; I am of Belgian descent.I have to admit not having heard any of Schnittke or Ligeti, but I love the music of the composers you have named; like you, I also love Irish Folk, hey, I love all music.

Hope you like it here, and I look forward to seeing you on the forum.

[Amlaith]

Yes, I also speak French (business french, too). And I want to learn a third language, but I am not quite sure which one.

Spanish: Might be very useful.
Chinese: Might be very useful if I am applying for a job. It will be extremely difficult to learn and a great challenge.
Slavic languages: The new markets in the East are a great opportunity for us.
Turkish: There many Turks living in Germany. Sometimes I'd like to speak with them in their language. The last two months I spent my time to study the history of Turkey. Very fascinating. As a result of the EU accession negotations with Turkey I thought it would be better to know more about this country and it's culture.

I have some fear because of the difficulty learning a non-european-language. Don't get me wrong! I may sound pragmatic, but for myself it's also important to learn the cultural aspects of that country.

[Aqualung]

Spanish is definitely useful in America where there are a lot of latino immagrants, but I don't know how useful it would be for you. Sorry I can't help you on that one.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Amlaith

Yes, I also speak French (business french, too). And I want to learn a third language, but I am not quite sure which one.

Spanish: Might be very useful.
Chinese: Might be very useful if I am applying for a job. It will be extremely difficult to learn and a great challenge.
Slavic languages: The new markets in the East are a great opportunity for us.
Turkish: There many Turks living in Germany. Sometimes I'd like to speak with them in their language. The last two months I spent my time to study the history of Turkey. Very fascinating. As a result of the EU accession negotations with Turkey I thought it would be better to know more about this country and it's culture.

I have some fear because of the difficulty learning a non-european-language. Don't get me wrong! I may sound pragmatic, but for myself it's also important to learn the cultural aspects of that country.

One of my sons is at University and is reading French (which as I said I speak), Spanish (in which his mother is fluent), and Italian.

I understand what you mean about the need to learn the culture of a country when you want to learn their language; James (my son) spent seven months in Clermont Ferrand, and then 5 months in a little town called Ubrique in Andalucia........he fitted in so well in both places, after a while he was regarded as a 'native'. He has made many friends, and has a string of invitations for weddings and other festivities to be shared with them.

I myself am vaguely toying with the idea of learning Arabic........I have been thinking of buying a house in Morocco to spend six months of the year, and I love the culture; I would want to be accepted as a native.

[Katzpur]

Hello, Amlaith!

Originally Posted by Amlaith

I'm a student of philosophy and literature. I was born in the western part of Berlin in the early 80's (1983). There are only a few things I can remember well about the Berlin Wall. The border controls were stern and the GDR custom officers were unfriendly in every kind you can imagine. For a six-year old child it was really frightening and I know my thoughts about this, nonetheless I didn't understand the reasons, were that something is terribly wrong in this world.

Berlin's an incredible city. I visited there when I was a teenagers (mid-60's). The wall was, of course, still standing at that time. I remember crossing over to the east side for a few hours. What a dramatic difference between two parts of the same city!

I'm here to discuss my personal thoughts about religion and of course to improve my language skills. It 's certainly something different to express a point of view than only to read english texts. So if I often may sound weird, don't hesitate to tell me what was wrong about my statement.

Well, I've got to say that, had I not known that English was not your first language, I'd have never guessed! I am truly impressed by your command of a very difficult language. My father (dead for twelve years now) served an LDS (i.e. Mormon) mission in Germany in approximately 1930 and learned to speak German during that two-year period. He returned during World War II, and was in military government at that time. By the time the war ended and he returned to the States, he'd decided what he wanted to do with his life: teach German on the university level. He ended up teaching at the University of Utah for 35 years. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Kafka. When I was at the University, I took five quarters of German and got very good grades in it. Unfortunately, I have always been so afraid of making mistakes, that I've hesitated to even try to use the little bit of German I did learn. Now I regret so much not putting more effort into really learning the language. I'd give anything to be fluent in more than one language.

I hope my introduction was ok, though it was may be a bit too personal.

Your introduction wasn't okay. It was great! It's seldom we learn so much about anyone on the forum so early on. The number of frubals you've picked up in such a brief period of time is indicative that a lot of other people agree with me.

Welcome! We're glad to have you!

Kathryn

[Feathers in Hair]

Hello and welcome!

I'm glad you pointed out who it is in your avatar! I would have asked, otherwise, and made myself look silly!

Please feel free to check out our article for our newer members.

Namaste, if it pleases you!