Your religion and you -- are they congruent

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I want this thread to be not so much a debate as a general discussion. And I don't want to restrict it to religious people only. For example, I am a Humanist, and it is important to me that I live according to the precepts that Humanism espouses. I have to ask myself all the time whether or not I do.

I found this quite lovely little quote by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) to serve as an example. I think (I'll try to prove it later) that I can answer Senator Booker's challenge, but I'd be interested in how others, of every religion and none, would answer.

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

 

[amorphous_constellation]

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

I guess I view religions and philosophies as all representing content to potentially learn from, as opposed to 'follow.' By the time I interpret what they mean, it isn't clear that I'd by following them in a way that others consider coherent. However, perhaps that is the intent of thinking about religions and philosophies

That said, when it comes to concepts like 'compassion' and 'love,' I think I am more interested in the coherency of adding conditionals to all of that. A common reading of the golden rule might assume that people will learn, when they are treated well, that they should behave well. But if someone treats you poorly after you treated them well, you merely suffer injury, while they learn nothing. Treating each other well, under the guidance of the golden rule, might only work if all parties understand and value being treated well. But it is easy to read the golden rule in more of a sense that is unconditional - assuming as well that its practice will aid in promoting great behavior

 

[InChrist]

I want this thread to be not so much a debate as a general discussion. And I don't want to restrict it to religious people only. For example, I am a Humanist, and it is important to me that I live according to the precepts that Humanism espouses. I have to ask myself all the time whether or not I do.

I found this quite lovely little quote by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) to serve as an example. I think (I'll try to prove it later) that I can answer Senator Booker's challenge, but I'd be interested in how others, of every religion and none, would answer.

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

View attachment 100275

I desire to live for Christ or rather have Him live through my life each day expressing the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…
Galatians 5:22

Do I fail more than I want to? Yes, but thankfully I have an ever present Savior, each day is new and another opportunity to live for Him, instead of self.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I desire to live for Christ or rather have Him live through my life each day expressing the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…
Galatians 5:22

Do I fail more than I want to? Yes, but thankfully I have an ever present Savior, each day is new and another opportunity to live for Him, instead of self.

So, how do you make all that happen? How do you deal with people who maybe aren't quite like you? Do you accept them? Appreciate them? Try to change them?

What is "goodness" to you? When you encounter a couple -- maybe a white guy and a black girl, or two guys, or two girls -- who love each other and want to marry -- how do you contribute to the goodness of their relationships?

You wrote a lot of lovely notions, but you didn't try to apply it to real life -- and that's what Cory Booker's quote was about. How do you treat others, how do you show your love for all people, how is your compassion for people who are suffering expressed in your life?

 

[InChrist]

So, how do you make all that happen? How do you deal with people who maybe aren't quite like you? Do you accept them? Appreciate them? Try to change them?

What is "goodness" to you? When you encounter a couple -- maybe a white guy and a black girl, or two guys, or two girls -- who love each other and want to marry -- how do you contribute to the goodness of their relationships?

You wrote a lot of lovely notions, but you didn't try to apply it to real life -- and that's what Cory Booker's quote was about. How do you treat others, how do you show your love for all people, how is your compassion for people who are suffering expressed in your life?

My goal is to treat others with love and respect, whether we are like-minded or not. If appropriate I may speak the truth in love concerning what God’s word says on various matters or share my thoughts, but it’s not my job to change anyone. Sharing the love and compassion of Jesus in practical ways to all people I may encounter is important and I am involved in doing so in various .

 

[stvdv]

I want this thread to be not so much a debate as a general discussion. And I don't want to restrict it to religious people only. For example, I am a Humanist, and it is important to me that I live according to the precepts that Humanism espouses. I have to ask myself all the time whether or not I do.

I found this quite lovely little quote by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) to serve as an example. I think (I'll try to prove it later) that I can answer Senator Booker's challenge, but I'd be interested in how others, of every religion and none, would answer.

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

View attachment 100275

I love the quote:
Don't speak to me about your religion; first show it to me in how you treat other people. Don't tell me how much you love your God; show me in how much you love all her children. Don't preach to me your passion for your faith; teach me through your compassion for your neighbors

I agree 100%. Great quote !

Above quote part I have as my RF Footer

I do my utmost best to live my life this way

 

[stvdv]

I want this thread to be not so much a debate as a general discussion. And I don't want to restrict it to religious people only. For example, I am a Humanist, and it is important to me that I live according to the precepts that Humanism espouses. I have to ask myself all the time whether or not I do

From my POV, and from my Guru's Teachings

Your life is as good as any Spiritual Life

In fact, imo, Spritual Life, is about

"Hurt Never Help Ever"

Humanism is, imo, as good as my Spiritual Path

 

[mangalavara]

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

Sikhi has been my religion for almost a month so far.

The first human guru is this tradition, Guru Nanak, taught by word and example what we know as the Three Pillars of Sikhi: nām japō (Repeat the Name), kirat karō (Do Your Occupation), and vaṃḍ chakō (Share What You Earn). Other than meditating on and repeating divine names such as Vāhigurū, I do my occupation honestly, very faithfully, and try to make it of high quality. In addition, I give at least 10% of my salary to charity, and I sometimes buy food and give it to students and fellow teachers. This is how I apply the Three Pillars in my life.

Something else that Guru Nanak and the nine other human gurus taught, which was always by word and example, is sevā or Selfless Service. It is basically volunteering one’s time and efforts for the benefit of others. So far, I have not yet done much of this. As a very new Sikh, I will certainly begin doing sevā. I live on the fourth floor of a villa, and I can clean the floor on which I live, clean the handrails, and clean the door handles on Saturday. While at work, I sometimes pick up garbage that people drop on the floors, and clean tables. Sikhs are known to do sevā at our gurdwaras and for the public. When I eventually visit the only gurdwara in this little country, I will see what I can do for others.

Lastly, Sikhi is a religion that values equality and utterly rejects unfair treatment based on gender, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation, religion, etc. It also sees oppression as something to fight against. This egalitarianism and anti-oppression is associated with the divine qualities of nirbhau (without fear) and nirvair (without hatred). So, I try to see all people as my equals in humanity and spirit regardless of externals. There is nobody to bring down but always somebody to elevate. If I ever have the opportunity to defend a helpless person in whatever way, then I must put away fear and actually do it.

 

[Secret Chief]

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

I suppose I try to live in accordance with the five lay precepts - not to intentionally kill, not to lie, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to take intoxicants and not to steal. How much I manage to do this... well... I try... Fall down six, get up seven.

 

[Spice]

I live my beliefs in everything, including letting myself off the hook when I catch myself beginning to slip, as long as I pull myself back in line. And I know I slip, especially in mind, if not in action.

I've seen Cory's quote many times. It always brings to mind the quote of St. Frances of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary." Actions, even the little ones, mean so much. You truly do reap what you sow.

This gives a little insight into the specifics I try to follow that is my faith spoken in secular language.

 

[stvdv]

I guess I view religions and philosophies as all representing content to potentially learn from, as opposed to 'follow.' By the time I interpret what they mean, it isn't clear that I'd by following them in a way that others consider coherent. However, perhaps that is the intent of thinking about religions and philosophies

I follow, put in practice, good Teachings
That is for me "my Spiritual Life"

 

[stvdv]

That said, when it comes to concepts like 'compassion' and 'love,' I think I am more interested in the coherency of adding conditionals to all of that. A common reading of the golden rule might assume that people will learn, when they are treated well, that they should behave well.

Good point, took me long to 'get it'

But if someone treats you poorly after you treated them well, you merely suffer injury, while they learn nothing.

Those people I avoid

Treating each other well, under the guidance of the golden rule, might only work if all parties understand and value being treated well.

1) Love the other like your self
2) Help ever Hurt Never
3) ABC: Avoid Bad Company

The above 3 solve "Getting hurt helping others"
IF I love myself THEN only I can love others
IF I love myself THEN I can't allow others harm me
IF I love others THEN I can't allow others harm me

The Golden Rule works fine if applied both ways:
Do (not do) unto others what you do (not) want others to do unto you
I want those who do harm to stay away from me
The Golden Rule works great now IF
I avoid, stay away, from people who do harm

I am not like the monk who sees a scorpion drawning in the river, picks it up with his hand, get stung, drops the scorpion, sees it drawning, picks it up with his hand, gets stung again etc.

I would use a stick to save the scorpion from drawning.

But I do get the lesson "don't give up helping others, because one didn't appreciate your help". Just learn the lesson, and don't make the same mistake, find a better method to help next time.

My intuition gradually improves, and some people I don't help IF my intuition tells me "don't help him"

 

[stvdv]

Lastly, Sikhi is a religion that values equality and utterly rejects unfair treatment based on gender, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation, religion, etc. It also sees oppression as something to fight against. This egalitarianism and anti-oppression is associated with the divine qualities of nirbhau (without fear) and nirvair (without hatred). So, I try to see all people as my equals in humanity and spirit regardless of externals. There is nobody to bring down but always somebody to elevate. If I ever have the opportunity to defend a helpless person in whatever way, then I must put away fear and actually do it.

Those are exactly all the values my Teacher taught us.

When I was in the Ashram of my Master in India, and there was a big festival (sometimes ca. ½ million followers), many people were needed to do sevā (3000 sometimes). On these occasions there was usually 1 sevādal in charge of the other sevādals, and he was a Sikh. A good man, who really impressed me, by his appearance and friendliness and ability to keep control of thousands of people, without getting upset

I didn't know much of the Sikh religion, but I could feel from this man, that Sikh religion is a good religion

Namaste

 

[sayak83]

I want this thread to be not so much a debate as a general discussion. And I don't want to restrict it to religious people only. For example, I am a Humanist, and it is important to me that I live according to the precepts that Humanism espouses. I have to ask myself all the time whether or not I do.

I found this quite lovely little quote by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D) to serve as an example. I think (I'll try to prove it later) that I can answer Senator Booker's challenge, but I'd be interested in how others, of every religion and none, would answer.

How would you say that you -- in living your own day-to-day life -- express the values that you have learned from your religion or belief system, whatever it is?

View attachment 100275

Hinduism and Buddhism focuses mostly on internal development, which leads to good outcomes for the person and for society as well.
For example here is an excerpt from Gita
Your right is to action alone;
Never to its fruits at any time.
Never should the fruits of action be your motive;
Never let there be attachment to inaction in you.
Fixed in yoga, perform actions,
Having abandoned attachment,
And having become indifferent to success or failure.
It is said that evenness of mind (to success or failure) is yoga.

Of course this is hard thing to achieve and requires constant and lifelong practice. But to my limited ability, I have tried to always ask whether something that I doing, I am doing because it is the right and proper thing to do, or am I being influenced by personal goals, attachments, fears, hopes, biases or past positive/negative experiences. I believe that I have had some moderate success in this matter, though much to improve.