Some people may do that but it would not likely be something that a Buddhist would do and certainly not I. When we have a party on my street, and that is just a few homes, all are invited and that includes mostly Christians. Why would someone exclude others because of a difference in faith is beyond my understanding. I mean, really, who cares?
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Can we say organized religion is a positive force in the world with headlines like this?
- Thread starter Orbit
- Start date
While not exactly on point, there are also tons of studies from a nursing POV that prove that the use of spirituality can and does assist in the health of a patient. Nursing has actually now included the concept of spirituality as one piece of our nursing paradigm. People like Dr. B. Dossey and Dr. Swinton, among many others, have proven this beyond doubt. Just saying...
And what if the result of 'praying' is comfort? Is that not a positive? Or perhaps, as in meditation, that can help with pain control. trust me, I know that from personal experience.
Of course not, it was blatant racism, IMO. I had an opposite experience in my youth. My parents tried to expose me to any faith they could find, teaching me to find my own path, which included atheist, which was the way my father saw things.
That seems a little unfair, IMO. Perhaps, from my path's POV, this was what he was supposed to experience and learn from in this life. We all learn from what we live through. Some lessons are harder than others. Just my two cents....Attitudes like yours is why religious people may wish to segregate themselves at times.
Could that not have been simply the result of the negative behaviors that they embraced? Who is to say that the behaviors that they exhibited and utilized were a part of what they believed about God or the lack thereof? You are relying on a book, IE: The Bible; as your only proof of these assertions. What if that book has it wrong? At least in terms of why they were not a part of what Christ taught?
I respectfully and strongly disagree. Marriage IS a contract, a legal and binding one or one would not need to have a lawyer to divorce, and since we know that a goodly deal of Catholics and Christians DO divorce your premise that it isn't one is erroneous. Frankly, I could not care less what the Bible states about marriage from your perspective. From mine, which is just as germane, it is perfectly legal and right for all peoples. Therefore, denying me that right to marry is against my rights as a US citizen and/or a citizen of the world. What Jesus may or may not have said does not apply to anyone who does not follow your faith and therefore has NO place in defining what is or is not marriage from a legal POV. Straight people can similarly have a "union" of whatever sort but it IS marriage in OUR eyes.
Which is fine, for you. Follow your faith if it works for you. We have agreed to disagree many times. And you know that I find your faith unpalatable for me. But telling me that my view of God is false is very unfair, IMO.
It is the fact that there is no mention of that being against any 'rules' that make this a moot point, IMO. Where is it written that man and man may not marry? It does say man shall not lie with man, etc, which we know but that does NOT say they cannot marry. There is a vast difference between the two. And frankly, basing legally defined definitions of what is marriage cannot and should never have been based on a book that we only hold to be said by the man you call Jesus. There is NO proof that this is truly what he said. It is all based on belief which has not place in a legal setting.
As I watch the news this morning hearing about one of the worst mass shootings in American history at a gay night club in Orlando (right now, they're saying 20 dead and 42 hospitalized), I feel like I should quote this:
... and point out that in the news coverage I've seen so far, they seem to be taken it almost as given that the shooting was religiously motivated, and this assumption doesn't seem to be surprising or controversial at all.
I know that it's too early to know the details of what happened, but I think this reaction of "yes, of course - that makes sense. I can't see how anything but religion could motivate something like this" says volumes.
... and point out that in the news coverage I've seen so far, they seem to be taken it almost as given that the shooting was religiously motivated, and this assumption doesn't seem to be surprising or controversial at all.
I know that it's too early to know the details of what happened, but I think this reaction of "yes, of course - that makes sense. I can't see how anything but religion could motivate something like this" says volumes.
Offering my two cents....I think there is a time for using religious texts within this forum and there is not. IMO, when you answer a post with a verse you are using that as your voice and not truly offering a debatable position. How can a person argue with a Bible verse other than to disagree with what it says? Is it your voice? An analogy would be me using a line from Moby Dick instead of using my own thoughts on an issue. But as I said, just my two cents here.
Yes and no. I'm NA and I often see signs, such as a hawk flying over head that I find to be a good omen. And it generally is true regarding the rest of my day, etc. OTOH, there are many that are merely allegorical or the fodder for stories told.
And what rights would those be in comparison to those you enjoy and why on earth would they differ based on sexual orientation? Why do they need to vary based on a book that I and many many more do not believe in? The Bible has NO place in being used in the legality of this country. And in fact, the framers of this country strove very hard to prevent that very thing. In point of fact, while you may state that your church's views are not hate based, from my POV, they most definitely are.
arthra
Baha'i
I think there are positive things organized religion has done and can do in society... Simply because the dominant religion in Saudi Arabia or other countries is oppressive does not mean religion can not be a positive force for peace on the planet and for the general welfare of human beings. As an example I will provide you with a citation that contains the positive things an organized religion in this case the Baha'i Faith can do:
http://bahaiteachings.org/series/main-principles
I think the Bible is relevant when it addresses the issue of the debate. So it is not off limits to me. Such attempts at personal censorship do you no credit, IMO.
I DO ACCEPT AND RELY ON WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. IMO, EACH PERSON MUST DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER THE BIBLE IS WHAT IT CLAIMS TO BE, GOD'S WORD. I AM CONVINCED THE PORTRAYAL OF HE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN THE BIBLE IS ACCURATE.