Jason Morningstar’s Minister Application
Minister Application for Jason Morningstar
What do you see as your major strengths or talents?
Listening. Ability to calm people. Understanding. The ability to recognize when people are pushing safe boundaries. Ability to create a comforting and safe environment. Trustworthiness/Confidentiality. The ability to remain calm when things do not go according to plan. Ability to communicate between people of all walks of life and understand their perspective. Can maintain professionalism throughout all types of procedures with a level head. 14 years of experience in the field of Body Modification. Compassionate. Have an extensive background in Magic/Ritual, Shamanism and religion. Sense of humor. Talents: I produce 80% of my own jewelry.Can perform piercings, scarification and brandings. Very dexterous. Ability to lead people through procedure with breathing and speech.
What do you feel are your major weaknesses?
Punctuality. Procrastination. Inability to adapt to sudden change. Lack of self confidence from time to time. Sushi.
What previous experience do you have that relates to being a minister in the CoBM?
Studied as a Pagan Priest for 10 years. Have studied many different world religions. Was an Anthropology/Biology Minor in college with a Sculpture Major. Have been involved in many rituals/ritual experiences. Have practiced body modification for 15 years. Practiced ritual modification in my own life for 26 years. Have spoken on television and lectured at colleges about body modification, I am looked to by many as a spiritual and ritual guide. Have counseled many in both psychological and religious matters. I have acted as a go between from the modification community and the status quo.
In your own words, what do you know about the CoBM and being a minister in it?
I have known about the Church nearly from its inception. I have been a member for over a decade. I have throughly researched the responsibilities of many religious officials and thought of to apply them to our community. I know the responsibilities of the office and what this entails.
Why do you want to be a minister in the CoBM?
I want to be able to assist and help with authority the acceptance and inclusion of all modified people in mainstream society.
What do you think you can contribute as a minister?
I can speak publicly. Be a role model for the community. Educate local officials both in the medical and legal community.
What have you contributed thus far as a member?
I have lectured at colleges. I have maintained the highest standards in my field. I have worked to educate and further the understanding of the body modification community whenever I could
Where would you like to see the CoBM 5 years from now?
I would like to see the church formally recognized and it’s members protected from job discrimination and social persecution. I would also like our practices and rituals to have solid legal protection.
Aside from the CoBM, what are your personal goals for the next 5 years?
Further my business. Buy a house. Marry my lovely fiancé. Own my own store with room enough for a place of worship, not just rent.
What would you do if you overheard someone speaking negatively about the CoBM?
Respectfully ask them why they were being negative and try to educate them as to the truths and purpose of the Church.
The CoBM has evolved greatly since inception. As a minister, you will be expected to be knowledgeable about the various evolutionary steps the CoBM has taken. If someone asked you about the current status and goals of the Church, how would you compare and contrast the Church’s current state against previous years and under previous management?
In the past the Church did not have federal recognition and its structure was loose. Many original founders have come and gone not without incident but much effort was made and finally things have started to come together.
List all of your modifications, past and present. Then choose one of those mods and describe what spiritual significance it has for you.
Left ear: 8 piercings from lobe to upper helix varying in gage from 1/2 inch to 16 gage. Right ear: 1 and 7/8 inch lobe, 2 gage conch, 10 gage upper helix, 12 gage rook, 20 gage second hole. 0 gage tongue piercing. Previous facial piercings. 10 gage lip. Several 14 gage eye brow piercings. 8 gauge labret. An 8 and 10 gage navel piercings. Scrotal ladder. Tattoos: Moon cycles around left forearm. Sun tattoo on right forearm. Tribal bird on solar plexus. Octopus above pubis. Troll on right shoulder blade. Centipede on top of right shoulder. Salamander around right ankle. Fish on left calf. Tribal “marks”/scratches in UV ink on left cheek. Rising sun (morningstar) on left ring finger. Scarification: Pentacle on left shoulder, done over 15 times. My tongue piercing I got in the hopes of becoming more truthful and my words more meaningful.
What do you think the differences are between a person who modifies their body with piercings, tattoos, etc. and a person who never explores body modification?
The major difference in my opinion is, one who chooses to practice body modification has felt the need to expand their consciousness to become or feel complete. People who never explore this realm simply do not feel such desires.
Can a person with only a navel or ear piercing claim to be as spiritually modified as someone with brandings and a split tongue?
Yes, but people who choose to only have a navel or earpiercing do not feel it necessary to explore the path further.
Describe what spiritually modified means to you.
Spiritually modified, to me, means one who associates their mind, body and spirit and the manipulation of these things to further their growth, understanding and realization of their place in the meaning of life.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation?
No, nothing.