Post #372087 by Howland on Sun, Apr 6, 2008 7:57 PM

On 2008-04-01 03:24, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Beyond the history, is Tiki practiced by anyone as a religion today?

I can see with personal connections that some experience with a one-ness of the universe that Tiki might provide a stepping off place, so to speak.

Tiki as gods... well I wouldn't think, but maybe be some see them that way still?

Browse through this thread @ Hawaiiathreads.com. You can get a glimpse of how strongly some peeps still feel about their 'gods' being used/misused/misrepresented/exploited, etc. like on tee shirts, logos and other contemporary art forms. Good thing these folks haven't run across TC yet--this is where you have to draw the line between ancient religion and Polynesian pop culture--2 completely different worlds. Poly pop being based on the imagery of ancient religions, but without the religion. That's where 'taboo' and 'mystique' comes into play---religious practices not understood or accepted by the christian majority but they're turned into an oddity/amusement type thing (poly-pop culture)--works for me! I can see 'Kimo's' point of view and I have respect for him and his beliefs but I still love a goofy looking mid-century pseudo polynesian carving, mug, etc.

http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=4731