Making Room for Religious Folk

[cuppajoe]

It's odd how the left or what used to be the Democratic party tilted away from people with faith. I do not practice any faith myself but think the rest of us (there are two groups of people in the world, neo-con republicans and the rest of us) have to make a safe haven for those with strong religious conviction. I'm not talking about the phony ass Christians that would listen to Pat Robertson, but the real Christians to model their lives after their king and leader, Jesus. That guy definitely stood for the sorts of issues that are contrary to everything the NeoCon Reps stand for. The rest of us need good decent people in our cause. However, if I was a devout Christian, I think I'd feel alienated somewhat, moving in the circles I do online. I see that there are some Christian groups that favor progressive thinking popping up, and I visited one web site yesterday like that.

I wonder if it is the abortion issue that splits us? That one issue has become a battle cry for the extremist RightWingNut Christians and helped fuel the NeoCons to victory, even if that victory was acheived by illegal means. It really doesn't matter when the big judges are on your side, does it?

I hope the rest of us make room for everyone who wants freedom for all, free thinking, and an end to the tyranny now in power.

[wyldberi]

It's OK by me for anyone to maintain any kind of spiritual practice they wish up to the point that their freedom begins to impinge upon mine or the rights of others. Their freedom extends to their own practice, and the place and time of their choosing. They have the right to speak about their beliefs, but when I ask them to stop preaching at me, they have the responsibility to cease.

As for the support of Israel: Israel is, and has been, in violation of legislated rules concerning the military assistance we have provided them. They have contravened congressional legislation that prohibits the use of U.S. made munitions against civilian targets. In the recent invasion and attack upon Lebanon, not only did the U.S. government fail to obey its own laws, it willingly speeded up the shipments of armaments to Israel during the conflict to insure Israel would have plenty of cluster bombs and rockets to rain upon the women and children of Lebanon.

If the Chirstians in this country want to support an independent Israel, they are obligated to get out in the streets and protest when Israel violates the terms of its agreements with the U.S. It is the militant support offered to Israel by the Christian right that permits Israel to make war on civilians.

Like I said, I don't care what anyone chooses to believe. I have no argument with them. But if they support the policies of the radical elements controlling the U.S. government, my intent is to make it as uncomfortable for them to sit in their complacency as possible.

[Nathan Morrison]

wyldberi said:

It's OK by me for anyone to maintain any kind of spiritual practice they wish up to the point that their freedom begins to impinge upon mine or the rights of others. Their freedom extends to their own practice, and the place and time of their choosing. They have the right to speak about their beliefs, but when I ask them to stop preaching at me, they have the responsibility to cease.

As for the support of Israel: Israel is, and has been, in violation of legislated rules concerning the military assistance we have provided them. They have contravened congressional legislation that prohibits the use of U.S. made munitions against civilian targets. In the recent invasion and attack upon Lebanon, not only did the U.S. government fail to obey its own laws, it willingly speeded up the shipments of armaments to Israel during the conflict to insure Israel would have plenty of cluster bombs and rockets to rain upon the women and children of Lebanon.

If the Chirstians in this country want to support an independent Israel, they are obligated to get out in the streets and protest when Israel violates the terms of its agreements with the U.S. It is the militant support offered to Israel by the Christian right that permits Israel to make war on civilians.

Like I said, I don't care what anyone chooses to believe. I have no argument with them. But if they support the policies of the radical elements controlling the U.S. government, my intent is to make it as uncomfortable for them to sit in their complacency as possible.

Well said Wyld, you've just become a P&M Regular Contributor

[cuppajoe]

wyldberi said:

It's OK by me for anyone to maintain any kind of spiritual practice they wish up to the point that their freedom begins to impinge upon mine or the rights of others.

I believe any true spiritual practice respects freewill and freedom above all else. Religion (as I see it) is not a spiritual practice at all. What I mean by spirituality is more aligned to the sorts of experiences Thom Hartmann has had, not Pat Robertson.

[wyldberi]

cuppajoe said:

wyldberi said:

It's OK by me for anyone to maintain any kind of spiritual practice they wish up to the point that their freedom begins to impinge upon mine or the rights of others.

I believe any true spiritual practice respects freewill and freedom above all else. Religion (as I see it) is not a spiritual practice at all. What I mean by spirituality is more aligned to the sorts of experiences Thom Hartmann has had, not Pat Robertson.

I agree with your statement for the most part. I, myself, do not follow any particular practice or form. I just go along day by day and try to do the best I can in the situations that arise.

The distinction I make between spirituality and religion is that religion is largely following a form: a set of rules (doctrine), or pattern of activity (ritual). Spirituality, on the other hand, is engaging in activity with a mind focused on benefitting both one's self, and other people and the larger world.

Given that, practicing a specific religion can, in some instances, provide some type of spiritual experience for some individuals.