On Sep 21, 2009, at 2:57 PM, Chris Frandsen wrote:
A referral to "Religion" without being specific often sparks a response on this list. My wife is not a follower so she did not write this with this illustrious group in mind. Guys, I suggest taking her to task on this is part of the problem. There are many out there with religious beliefs be they Christian or otherwise. Being civil means respecting their beliefs though not necessarily accepting them.
Amen, brother! I think that the harsh "immune response" from some quarters to the merest mention of religion is a symptom of our general inability to be generous, kind, civil, open and _listening_.
Most of us who hold that some religious practices and ideas have a valuable place in our society don't even find it necessary to go into an allergic reaction when our very beliefs -- which we introduce to the conversation in good faith (the secular meaning of that phrase) -- are attacked.
It is not necessary to compare George Bush or Barack Obama to Hitler in order to say that we disagree with their policies. It is not necessary to call people with religious beliefs "addled" or "deluded" in order to say that we choose not to believe as they do.
I agree with Bruce that in general lessons ascribed to Jesus are about love and acceptance of the other. I ascribe to them. As for the temple I believe that was more about the failings of organized religion but of course that is my interpretation I also am a bit cloudy.
You seem to remember and understand the teachings and stories of Jesus better than you think. Jesus' main complaint was about the hypocrisy of the Jewish leadership: making a big show of their faithfulness while ignoring their own God's commands to be generous to the poor, to take care of the strangers in their midst, etc.
Thank you for introducing this thread, and please tell your wife (for me, anyway) that she's welcome to couch her hopes for a gentler dialog in religious or "rational" terms as she feels fit.
Blessings, Dave _______________________________________________ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
