BlogHer - Religion & Spirituality - Comments

thanks

Mata H — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:37:58 -0600

Thanks so much for your comment. As I said, this video and story have been haunting me.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

That was beautiful

LucindaA — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:19:22 -0600

Really, really beautiful. Thank you.

Uma Thurman Speaks About Motherhood

sapci — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:30:53 -0600

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4x2zLO9y2o

Right?

ClizBiz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:01:27 -0600

Even the folks I talked to who were angry about it agreed that it was ingenious.

~ClizBiz

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Animal Concerns, Proprietor, ClizBiz

Thanks, Mata

ClizBiz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:59:59 -0600

Thanks for weighing on on this, Mata. I was hoping you would. Of all this topics I have posted on here at BlogHer, this was the biggest, longest, deepest rabbit hole of all.

As you said, the idea of Rapture started in 1690 with a Jesuit priest, Francisco Ribera - a mere man; there is no mention of the word in the Bible. Still, 40-50 million Americans believing it as gospel is quite a lot, enough for a skeptic like me to have a couple in her inner circle.

Certainly, to Mr. James' point, I could say and do a few things that would get me on the guest list but if I don't really believe it, does it still count? Doesn't seem fair.

As for the animal-soul issue, mankind is deluded by its own inflated sense of importance. So many see the Earth and the animals as things for mankind to utilize until they are gone - not sentient beings unto themselves. Just like us, animals are born and die, eat and poop, give birth and grow old - why would they not have the same spiritual component as well? I've come to believe that people that cannot allow for the idea that animals have souls are wildly disconnected from the natural world and a bit soulless themselves.

Feeling anoher tangent coming on so I'll stop there.

~ClizBiz

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Animal Concerns, Proprietor, ClizBiz

a niche for athiests!

Virginia DeBolt — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:08:55 -0600

I think this is brilliant.

Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology CE | Web Teacher | First 50 Words

hi Kazari

Mata H — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:53:04 -0600

yes indeed -- those are such wonderful ordinary miracles. And absolutely the un-looked for connection is a wonderful moment -- like meeting an earth-angel!

Have a fine day --

mata

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Hi Lara

Mata H — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:51:12 -0600

Thanks for the kind words --- and keep lovin' the good stuff in your life!

mata

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

to clarify

Mata H — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:45:10 -0600

Only a comparitively small percentage of Christians believe in the Rapture -- of course many people find those who do, easy to ridicule. The term "rapture" used theologically only started in the mid-1700's, so it is a relatively new idea. Most Christian denominations find any Biblical rationale for it to be weak.

Further, there are denominations that do not endorse the idea that one must be 'born again", and require an adult baptism. Yet many characterizations of Christianity paint every denomination with the same belief-brush.

And finally, in a world where so many do not even believe that animals have consciousness or value as creatures, it is no surprise that so few believe in the possibility that they have souls.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

I love the concept of 'ordinary miracles'

kazari — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:32:47 -0600

For me, it's more about what's around me. I love the way an unexpected glimpse of sunset can pull you out of yourself. Or an amazing piece of street art that makes you re-evaluate your surroundings. But I love the un-looked for connections we sometimes make with strangers. http://myrope.wordpress.com

good reminder

Laracolvin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:21:20 -0600

Mata, you are so amazing at reminding us of the "good stuff".

Thank you.

Lara

Notions of Identity

I saw this a while back and

anaesthetic — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:06:47 -0600

I saw this a while back and think it's horrible. I didn't know about the case on Maryland. I'm shocked that this is going on in Afghanistan but even moreso that it's still viewed as such in my "backyard".

The rub

Maria Niles — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:49:50 -0500

Thanks so much for your comment and kind words, Paula. And you raise a good question - self awareness is important to honor but if you are attending such events to increase your self-awareness are you in a place yet where you can marshal the strength to recognize and protect your needs? If you were perhaps you might not feel the need to attend such an event.

It's a tangled puzzle and I agree that we might never know the whole truth but shining a light on the questions will be valuable.

BlogHer Contributing Editor PopConsumer Beyond Help

Not a Brilliant Chess Move

Liberal Sista — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:48:02 -0500

I found the results of Prop 8 to be morbidly disgusting! Although I am a Black heterosexual female, nevertheless I have always supported gay marriages, same-sex adoptions, as well as upholding the Supreme Court decision of Roe V Wade. Unfortunately, Christianity has a played a vital role in many Black communities. Many African Americans are physically liberal, but socially conservative. What went wrong with Prop 8 and the Black vote? A.S.S.U.M.P.T.I.O.N and BAD MARKETING! There is a smaller percentage of Blacks living in California than any other ethnicity group. There are more faith-based televised sermons advertised on BET, than MTV or VH1. There were no grassroots campaign pushing the opposition agenda of Prop 8 in Black and Hispanic urban/suburban areas. Kanye West, a rapper who has openly expressed his support for gay marriages would have been a great spokesperson for the Black community. Politics is a game of chess, and Prop 8 is just one of the 16 pieces! The Mormans understood their religious constituents. If you want to forward a faith based agenda among minorities, then target the Black churches. President Bush did this during his Presidential campaign. Trying to push Prop 8 right after the Presidential victory of President Obama {without gaining a favorable amount of attention to this subject from Blacks and Hispanics} was infantile. You want Prop 8 eradicated? Then reach out to the Black community. It's NEVER too late! I still support same sex marriages.

Here is a great chess move. According to DADI, 69% of births among Black women were to unwed mothers. Black women are the least likely to be married (more than any other women of any different ethnicity). Call the Black churches out on their hypocrisy. The older pre-Civil Rights generation do not believe that Gay-Marriage is a civil rights issue, so don't make it one! It's a losing battle! Instead create this argument, "Why are so many African-Americans concerned about respecting the institution of marriage, when so many children in Black communities are being born out of wedlock?" This would be a great debate to take on with Black pastors. A widely publicized debate on BET with pastors {like Creflo A. Dollar and TD Jakes}, would push the issue among many young voters in HBCUs (historically Black Colleges and Universities). Target the Black Gay Elite in Atlanta, Georgia to pull further resources. They are well connected to many other Black organizations and learning institutions. I hate to admit this, but the failure of Prop 8 did not lie with the Mormans or religious Blacks. The failure lied with the upper-middle class gay elite who refused to form allies with the Black and Hispanic communities. The Morman churches CAME PREPARED!

I Still Just Wonder

paulag01 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:52:21 -0500

Excellent post Maria & thanks so much for including my views & link in your post. It truly is a time for self-reflection...for leaders and participants. I wonder if we will ever know the truth for sure through investigations but I sure hope so.

It comes down to the question -- who are you pushing your limits for? For yourself and your own betterment or to please/impress a Guru? TJ above makes a great point -- self-awareness and your needs for well-being are part of the path and should never be ignored.

I look forward to the unfolding conversation and hope all those affected by the tragedy including Ray experience healing and growth through this experience.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company
http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

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