tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post113511990530561489..comments2023-10-07T07:52:24.587-07:00Comments on CLL Diary: FaithDavid Arensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876562687586184006noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1158358125969642962006-09-15T15:08:00.000-07:002006-09-15T15:08:00.000-07:00David, It seems to matter not what the subject is,...David, It seems to matter not what the subject is, but how it is delivered. A+. I liked it way better than my own. I believe we share some of the same thoughts, but I feel humbled by the way you convey them.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the heads up,<BR/>LorenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1135457612805714862005-12-24T13:53:00.000-07:002005-12-24T13:53:00.000-07:00Thanks to all for your comments. Brian's post remi...Thanks to all for your comments. Brian's post reminds us of the universality of what most of us Westernized folk know as the Golden Rule, which is a central tenet of many faiths. (Which is pretty much what Steve said!)<BR/><BR/>Brian, your post brings up some intriguing ideas. My mind runs in that direction also. I have found in life that things never work out as expected, so I would not be surprised to learn that the origins of the universe, or of life, might be somewhat different, perhaps quirkier, than we might expect.<BR/><BR/>My major in college was cultural anthropology and I have studied the role of religion in many cultures, including millenarian ("doomsday") movements. My senior thesis was on Jim Jones and the People's Temple cult, a hot topic back in 1979. <BR/><BR/>Religions serve a function in society that is entirely different from the honest search for our origins and what lies beyond, including the existence (or not) of a higher order or being.<BR/><BR/>This is why I think we see a conflict between those who are dogmatic and those who are open-minded, why some see honest inquiry as a threat and others see it as the only logical course of action.<BR/><BR/>I think that faith, whatever kind of faith, born of the latter is built on a firmer foundation. (And I fully understand, as Karen implies, that intelligent people seeking answers can decide that an existing faith is, indeed, correct.)<BR/><BR/>I suppose, when we die and if we survive after death, we might find out some of these answers. Of course, we could all be sitting around on The Other Side, having this same discussion!David Arensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13876562687586184006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1135279692601621842005-12-22T12:28:00.000-07:002005-12-22T12:28:00.000-07:00David,I didnt look up your definition of agnostici...David,<BR/>I didnt look up your definition of agnosticism but I have to say that your writing reflects what I personally consider myself to believe - pantheism - the universe as God. You speak of universal truth (something severely lacking in modern (especially political) America)and scientific fact. What could have existed before the Big Bang? How about Potential? What if we are only in a long cycle of expansions and contractions? It is not hard for me to imagine these rather simple concepts - afterall, simplicity begets complicity. Maybe it was God's intention that a consciousness evolve to discover his glory (look at the odds!). Maybe it was also his intention that we have to discover ourselves in the process.<BR/><BR/>I agree that literal interpretations of the Bible are somehow unsatisfying. Jesus, who I believe to be a great man and perhaps the first revered revolutionary, did not espouse a literal interpretation of the Bible. Fundamentalism of all stripes was something he preached against - this he physically demonstrated when he attacked the bankers in the temple, and symbolically, the corrupt temple leaders. Fundamentalism is a top down approach to belief with leaders and followers. Jesus never considered himself a leader and he chastised those who treated him as one. Currently relevant and historically poignant but apparently easily forgotton by those who espouse to the entitled Christian lifestyle so treasured in America today mainly by the Elites currently running this country.<BR/><BR/>Here are some variations on your theme I think you will appreciate:<BR/><BR/>Brahmanism: This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.: Mahabharata 5:1517<BR/><BR/>Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.: Matthew 7:12<BR/><BR/>Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what which he desires for himself. Sunnah<BR/><BR/>Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.: Udana Varga 5:18<BR/><BR/>Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not to your fellowmen. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.: Talmud, Shabbat 31:a<BR/><BR/>Confucianism: Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.: Analects 15:23<BR/><BR/>Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.: T’ai Shag Kan Ying P’ien<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Zoroastrianism: That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good: for itself. : Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5<BR/><BR/>Peace be upon your soul brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1135227941544000702005-12-21T22:05:00.000-07:002005-12-21T22:05:00.000-07:00David, I've got to say it again...you write with s...David, I've got to say it again...you write with such skill and apparent ease. What a gift to us all. This "Faith" reflection is compelling and a most enjoyable read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1135216410115945342005-12-21T18:53:00.000-07:002005-12-21T18:53:00.000-07:00I enjoyed reading your article, David. If I had h...I enjoyed reading your article, David. If I had had your upbringing with religion, I don't doubt I would have come to the same conclusions. I can see that you're a deep thinker who enjoys looking into things and finding the truth. Thought I'd recommend a book that I think is really good about the Christian faith. It happens to be written by a Lutheran, but it's really not intended to be denominational, just a defender of the faith in general. If you're still open-minded and searching, I thought you might enjoy it. It can only be ordered at nph.net (northwestern publishing house) and it's called "Prepared to Answer". Anyway, keep up the diary. I love it! And have a wonderful Christmas, however you choose to celebrate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19102494.post-1135212158095492862005-12-21T17:42:00.000-07:002005-12-21T17:42:00.000-07:00"Truth is One, though the sages know it variously...."Truth is One, though the sages know it variously."Steve Maddenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10284036509040132904noreply@blogger.com