I saw a post recently that could have prompted me to just go off because I thought the joke could have been offensive. Instead, I thought about the person and not the joke so I let it go. If I were to make an offensive joke, I would want to get the benefit of the doubt also. Its easy to attack someone because they don't share your religion, cultural heritage, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or political affiliation. What I believe is that everyone wants to live a life free from the judgement of others. And to that extent I seek to find moments to promote unity....so younger or older, blacker or whiter, richer or poorer, gayer or straighter....be true to yourself and who you truly believe that the creator made you to be and live a life filled with peace and prosperity.
Its always great to hear from ya. What a great statement. If all could do that we would have a much improved world. Happy Weekend to you too.
Whats up man? I will never say who it was, because I dont think their intention was to do any harm. Happy Weekend man!!!
Unfortunately Art I think on some of the items you posted we have to remain divided. I believe that everything has to be different to give it meaning. For instance, Lets say that in the far distant future there is a bird that bird has been homogenized into just One brand and all the birds lok a lkie. Pretty boring. There was an article in the Time magazine hit on the subject that I writing about. On the cover was a face that had multple features of differnet races. I for one enjoy like diversity. Not perverted diversity. Just simple , natural and beautiful diversity.
With the melding of all things brings about change and a oneness that takes away the individuality of people. People want to be different. It's getting late and I have to go to work. Later gator.
Since most Christians view being gay as a sin...and we all are sinners...with the possibility of changing....then why dont Christians give a gay person the same respect as any other person who they perceive to be a sinner.....thats the issue for me.....we judge and I choose not to do God's job for him. I understand your beliefs and you have a right to them....but why should we impose our beliefs on someone else....they are just as entitled to believe what they belief in also. You are a good man and I know that.....but I dont think you would want to be judged by Muslims or Buddhists, or anyone else based on religion. I will die for me when I go.....not for anyone else...so I can only account for myself and hope that my life is a light for others to see the way....my life......not my words....will eventually demonstrate the kind of man I am.
Whats up dude? We are not in disagreement. I love diversity. We will always be different. But that does not mean that we have be divided. Being united does not connote homogeniety. Men will always being men...and women will always be women, same for religions....the way to unite in my humble opinion is to acknowledge and celebrate differences, but primarily to accept differing points of view and live in harmony. Thanks for dropping by man and Have a Happy Weekend.
Have a very Happy Weekend!!!
I agree. I almost believe its helpful to the body to focus on peace than it is to foster and harbor hatred. Have a Happy Weekend!
That fact is no one among us is pefect. There is just no reason to be like that though. SLike you said they may not have ment it that way but who knows. It don't make it better by going to their level.
Well said and well handled.
Showing Love Images @ Bopmyspace.com
AMEN!!! Very well said!
If I had any hope for humanity, it would be that we would find a way to talk about these things civily.
peace, wayf
I would bet that your tolerance doesn't extend there. I wrestle with that contradiction within myself.
wingfire
Ususally one gets to know the person behind the color, the gender, the tag of whatever faith they profess, all preconceived notions float away!
I have been pre-judged by people even on the blogstream who heard I was a "Christian". Then they start making comments like, "you who hide behind your padded pew", not even bothering to get to know me. If they had they would realize that I haven't even been IN a church in THREE YEARS, let alone agree with half the stuff that's called Christianity today.
That's where people need to be careful.......phrases like "you people" is a dangerous way to start or end a sentence, amen?
It is sad to say, but nowadays it seems like there are more and more people that are not thinking about what they say before they say it
You my dear are one of the coolest Christian women, white of black that I have encountered. I respect what you stand for, but I respect your walk even more because it exemplifies your beliefs.
Have a Happy Weekend.
Good to see you.....and Have a Happy Weekend!!
We can never give up hope....we have to keep trying. I remain optimistic.
Punishing non-believers is not the place of people if they claim to believe in God, it is God's place.....I do believe respect each persons right to believe as they choose, but I can assure you that I will NOT allow anyone to punish me.
Punishing non-believers is not the place of people if they claim to believe in God, it is God's place.....I do believe respect each persons right to believe as they choose, but I can assure you that I will NOT allow anyone to punish me.
I guess I could be prone to a mistake or two, or three. But I was not mistaken in the celebration of diversity. What I mean by that is that I acknowlege difference and I welcome it to the extent that it is used for good. I am not a judge, nor do I want to be. I do not persecute people, unless they are politicians who say one thing, make promises, and do another. You cant get to similarities without acknowledging difference I think. Great comments though.
I use the word tolerant only for those I have issues with. I accept and celebrate the existence of all others....whether we share the same religious or philosophical beliefs.
To a certain extent I believe that we will agree to disagree. I am a purist in that I expect people to say what they mean and mean what they say. You cannot single out politicians who's actions belie their words when so many people behave the same way. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. And, Art, we are all judges all the time. We make decisions based on our prejudices every day, even when we aren't aware of the bias. If we were truely not judgemental, all people would be equal in our eyes, friends, family, sociopaths, pedophiles, murderers and, yes, even politicians.
Writer
Its hard sometimes. But you just keep working at it. Sort of the way you do. Nice to see you again my friend.
As well you should!
Hey are you playing cards tonite? Yahoo poker beginner lounge usually 6.
When I am not here, I know you can hold down the fort for me! lol
So glad to hear it. I said a prayer for you......and nope, I cannot fill your shoes.....but I can try to be an able understudy.
Now if you could just tell that pastor who kicked me out of his church for being "unsubmissive to authority" your opinion!
Abraham Maslow had 190 IQ and was one of the most brilliant psychologist of our time. He studies healthy people. A self actualized person never tells jokes or makes comments that are hurtfurl to others according to Maslow.
If he reads this I think we just told him.
But somebody's got to do it.
You are correct. I like the quotes too. Maslow and Lawrence Kohlberg probably would have gotten along well. Kohlberg's moral development stage six would not judge either and would even sacrifice self ideals for the good of the community. Welcome, come again soon, and keep the light on.
The books were burned in the marketplace. Then the women were imprisoned, stripped naked and examined for signs of witchcraft. Their cell window was sealed, and for five weeks the women were kept in darkness. Anyone who dared speak to them risked a five pound fine. Finally, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin were sent back to Barbados.
A contemporary chronicler inquired of the magistrates: "Why was it that the coming of two women so shook ye, as if a formidable army had invaded your borders"? These two "dangerous" women were, in fact, the first Quaker missionaries to arrive in North America.
The Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, arouse in the 17th century England. The Friends' founder was George Fox (1624-91), a weaver's son born in Leicestershire. After allegedly hearing a miraculous voice, Fox concluded that he could commune directly with God and recieve enlightenment apart from human mediation. "The traditional date for the origin of the Society of Friends is 1652," says the book A Religious History of the American People.
The Friends came to be called Quakers, because they experienced "agitated movements before moments of divine revelation." Another reference states they "trembled under an awful sense of infinite purity and majesty of God." Quakers wanted to find religious truth and to revive primitive Christianity.
Quakers believed in justice, uncompromising honesty, a simple lifestyle, and nonviolenence. They aroused fear and suspicion, to the Christians. Most worrisome of all was their missionary zeal, which provoked anger, mobbings, and official interference.
In England, Quakers were persecuted and imprisoned, and in New England they were also banished and even killed. Between 1659-1661, missionaries Mary Dyer, William Leddra, William Robinson, and Mamaduke Stephenson were hanged in Boston. Others were clapped in irons, branded,, or whipped. Some had their ears cropped. William Brend received 117 lashes on his bare back with a tarred rope. Despite such brutality, Quakers increased in number.
William Penn and the "Holy Experiment"
In 1681, the Quaker experience in North America took an amazing turn. In what was been termed a "holy experiment" in statecraft, William Penn (1644-1718), a young English convert to the Society of Friends, established a colony based on Quaker ideals and admistered by Quakers. The pacifist son of a British admiral, Penn himself had been imprisoned for preaching and writing about his views.
In payment for a debt owed Penn's father, the English Crown granted Penn a large tract of land in North America. A royal charter gave young Penn almost unlimited power over the new colony, which was named Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods," in memory of Admiral Penn. There people of "All Faith" were to enjoy religious freedom.
Penn first sent his cousin William Markham to America to act as his agent in securing the loyalty of the few Europeans within the precincts of the new colony and to purchase land from the Native Americans.
In 1682, Penn sailed up the Delaware River and saw his colony for the first time. He made a fair treaty with the native peoples as Shackamaxon (now called Kensigton, a part of Philadelphia). He planend to name a new settlement, Philadlphia, which means "brotherly Love."
Penn's new government promised to promote religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. All were welcome-tradesmen, men without means, and idealist eager to contribute to good government. The Quakers' religious zeal also began to wane as their material affluence increased. Penn and his supporters may have had noble aspirations and temporary success, but I wonder why those seeking peace, and harmony are always treated the worst, for wanting to be different, and promote unity.
I'll try to fix it and replace it latt when I'm feeling better.
The Quakers were good God-fearing people who helped change the course of America. I used to live in Pennsylvania and I am proud of what they accomplished during a very early stage of the development of this country.
I am not even sure, its no big deal. I count you as a friend anyway. Dont worry, if people say they forgive, then accept it and move on. Life is just too short to do otherwise. Have a Very Happy Weekend!
Dave Chapelle is a nut. See when folk are making jokes, I certainly give more benefit of the doubt. But he does need some help even though he is funny.
Dave Chapelle is a nut. See when folk are making jokes, I certainly give more benefit of the doubt. But he does need some help even though he is funny.
Posts like this one are the reason I came to blogstream, to hopefully in a small way help to make progress in social justice in America...of course while hopefully providing opportunities to smile and laugh along the way.
I agree that we are all sinners and I think that is why some people "over try" to help and actually cause more trouble than they cure. I believe we are all to help spred God's word - but in doing that we can only "plant the seed" that God will continue to water in their lives. I learned a long time ago that lesson - but I know at times I still over step my boundaries in my enthusiasum to "help" God.
That is when He grabs the back of my shirt and quite firmly pulls me out of His way. Praise God! - Sinners - yes I am one of them but I know that He is not done with me yet, so there is Hope because I am working on me and HE is also.
the argument is that we make arbitrary jugements inside the framework of our tolerance. You have made one, "you will not allow". There just seem to be some holes in the argument.
I agree with virtually all that you state, but I personaly wrestle with the reality that I am unable to extent my tolerance to all. There are some behaviors that upset me. Certainly, not gay, but extend behavior to include violence and greed. Our judgements in these cases involve a moral argument. That moral judgement comes from each of us relative to our life and all that entails.
My beacon in is this ongoing saga is Gandi. Now that statement doesn't seem strange to me, but some, based on their writings, would have to take exception with that. A man not a god is a compass on morality and he's a Hindu.
I'M SO CONFUSED
wingfire
Days of Week Images @ Bopmyspace.com
Just a little somethin' to make ya smile!
We often get in the way. At least you know that you do sometimes. I hope I can see it too when I do.
You may see holes in the argument and that is certainly ok with me. What I said is that while I celebrate the differences that other have from me, I will not allow anyone to punish me based on my beliefs. What I want you to understand is that as the descendant of slaves I am fully aware that my ancestors were punished simply because of someones beliefs and judgments. While I am an non-violent man...it only exist in the realm of non-violence. Another man can say what he will about me, but it does not move me to violence....however when he puts his hands on me.....he will soon learn that is was a very unwise move.
I am a Christian, but I am not a fool. African Americans have turned the other cheek on may ocassions. Its already been turned....so words do not harm me very much....but no man will put be the perpetrator of violence on me if I have no been violent with him.
There are no absolutes in life....at least not in my estimation. I dont like to use the word tolerance because it connotes that someone is putting up with me or I am doing that to someone. I want to first understand then move to celebrating their extistence, flaws and all. My perception of a flaw may not be there's, but we are at an impasse when I try to change them based on my opinion.
Ghandi was a great individual. If you had to choose one person to serve as the personfication of a moral compass, no one would disagree with him. It does not matter to me that he was Hindu. Lots of religions have great moral philosophies, and then again some who are not religious at all have great moral philosophies also. Thanks for taking the time to write.....I hope I that I will not confuse you too terribly on future post....but if I do....feel free to let me know.....HAPPY WEEKEND and GO BUCKS!!!!
though I was saying that I was confused about the implications of your argument, not your argument, I consider the state of confusion to a state of grace. To me, the only questions that are really worth serious inquiry and examination are those that end with I DON:T KNOW.
thanks for the good wishes and I leave with the same.
wingfire
As always an eloquent and insightful post. I live in one of the most polarized and racially and ethnically divided cities in the States. Whites distrust Blacks. Blacks distrust whites. Add the oriental,Indian, and Bosnian immigrants and sometimes you have a powder keg.
Your words of wisdom give me hope that someday...somehow...the divisions will be healed...This song is dedicated to you my friend.
It will get that in a lot of places, not just the ATL but that alone wont evoke change. I believe were making progress, however slow it may be, its still progresss.