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Religion

Discussion in 'Religion & Spirituality Forum' started by Miss tery, Jan 10, 2004.

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  1. hasbeen99

    hasbeen99 Fighting the stereotype

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    Would it be accurate to say you discarded the message because of the messengers then? Please don't perceive this as taking a shot at you, I'm just trying to fully understand what happened, and why you made your decision.

    I'd LOVE to hear more about this -- what you researched, where you searched, what you found.
     
  2. BigVito

    BigVito Splitting Headache

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    Too much good stuff here to digest in one sitting. I'll take a quick look at this for starters.

    One thing that concerns me is that "non-believers" whether agnostic, pagan or atheist get brushed with this broad stroke. Since we live in the "here and now" we are free of any sort of moral compass or ethics since there is no one to answer to. This simply isn't true. We answer to ourselves, our family, our friends, our community and world as a whole.
    As a non-practicing UU, I still subscribe to the basic tenets of the "church".

    The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
    Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
    Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
    A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
    The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
    The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
    Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.


    HB, most of these are the cornerstones of much of Humanist thought and surprisingly, most of the world's religions once you strip away the ritual and accompanying lore. I believe that these things aren't just of Judeo/Christian origins but of a natural recognition of what we must do to survive as a species.

    While I do not believe in a Supreme Being, I do believe I am connected to my fellow men and women and that my actions have an effect on them. I feel a sense of responsibility to my community at large to work to improve our world in any small way if possible. Simply not believing is not free reign for most people I know who are non-believers (in the sense that MT has addressed) to be irresponsible in acts or actions. We'll leave the narcissism and avarice to the LeVey Satanists and "Say and Claim it" TV evangelists.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2004
  3. Miss tery

    Miss tery extemporaneous

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    I understand that I have offended many members of the board with my remarks. I also see that that conflicts with my desire to live totally by the golden rule. But again I must reiterate that I perceive this arena as one in which a person can be free to express opinions which would not only be reviled in the meat world, but would also lead to catastrophic consequences to me.

    I do accept that my opinions may cause some intellectual pain to some of the members, and I do apologize for that. But to not post them gives me no other outlet. I'm driven to emphasize that a minority exists with my beliefs.
     
  4. magnus

    magnus Chump-proof

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    I don't feel like they caused any pain. I do think that was the intent, certainly.
     
  5. hasbeen99

    hasbeen99 Fighting the stereotype

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    Thank you for this post, Tery. I'm not greatly bothered personally by what you've posted with regard to religious people and even about God Himself, but some people are. Some people here agree with you. But that's the risk we all run anytime we vent our spleens in a public forum.

    Have you ever checked out www.internetinfidels.com ? I think you'd like it there. Seriously. I tried to poke around and exchange some ideas and they ran me off within 2 weeks.
     
  6. hasbeen99

    hasbeen99 Fighting the stereotype

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    I apologize, Vito. That was a generalization, and a bad one. I do think most non-theists (?) do share a common sense accountability to the common good. My bad.

    Agreed. Those principles are cornerstones of how to make any society or community function in prosperity. No dogma owns the copyright on them -- they're the lessons learned and developed from years of human social interaction.

    Is that a component of UU beliefs, or is that why you're not a practicing member of that system? I noticed in your list, 'spiritual growth' was included. How does that fit in to your personal beliefs, and the beliefs of the church?
     
  7. BigVito

    BigVito Splitting Headache

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    UU is a very open church. It is actually more of a "spiritual" community. Membership at the church I attended in N. Charlotte was made of an array of beliefs: Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Humanist, Zen Buddist, , agnostic, and athiest. Sometimes you could find all of them in one family. :)

    Membership does not require adherence to one dogma or theology. Instead, membership is freely given to any who agree with the 7 principles I posted earlier. To be honest, in this area, the UU Church is often a place for those who feel disenfranchised by "tradtional religion."

    The reasons I'm no longer active in this particular church are long and varied, the core being is that I work over 40 Sundays a year. My definition of spiritual growth, bettering oneself as a person both internally and as a member of the community, is fully welcomed and recognized there and with that there was no conflict.

    The backgrounds of both Unitarianism and Universalism are quite fascinating in themselves and how these two Christian theologies became the modern UU is a marvel of adaptation and change.
     
  8. Miss tery

    Miss tery extemporaneous

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    I wish someone would come up with a more humanistic concept for "spiritual". I think there is a lot of stuff I could agree with but I find that particular word both patronizing and simplistic.
     
  9. hispeed

    hispeed Full Access Member

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    miss tery,

    i believe a more humanistic concept for spiritual would be not just searching and finding our innerself but knowing who or what our innerself belongs to. for me it is the Lord. for others it may be a job, relationship, drugs, material things, anything we devote total denial of oneself for. hope that helps
     
  10. Ssstern

    Ssstern Do Unto Other as You...

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    Opiate of the masses. Errr. did I come too late?
     
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