Posts
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When the Christian Scriptures say that "God is no respecter of persons," what they mean is that God is never favoritistic or racially or religiously prejudiced. God is Love, and Love does not practice bigotry.
It is important for Christians to know this about their God, for the Jehovah of the Hebrew Scriptures ("Old Testament") was an extremist who did regularly practice religious and racial bigotry. He saw Israel, or the Hebrews, as "his chosen people," and, in essence, loved only Hebrews.
The God of Jesus, being Love, has no "chosen people." This is a human, limited idea that leads people to only bigotry. The Way is one of equality among all persons, and in this sameness of status, each and every being has a personal, and equal, relationship with the interior divine Mind of Love.
Israel, as a nation, and Judaism, as a faith, both have a right to exist, and to prosper. God (Love) certainly holds nothing against them. But neither do they enjoy any special blessedness, or any special position, before the Lord of Love, who loves all equally. To imitate this fine Love is our highest goal and calling. So, while accepting and loving all Jews, the Christian must also love all Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, and others. For she is called upon to love both her friends and her enemies.
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Showing posts with label anti-sexual bigotry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anti-sexual bigotry. Show all posts
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Conservative Orthodoxy Vs. Radical Love
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People of a good heartmind have very often been soundly rejected by the orthodox Catholic Church, all throughout its long and rather dark history. Bias has always been the problem with the religiously orthodox, and has often slipped over into bigotry.:( I am currently finishing a book about the history of orthodoxy and its many conflicts with gnostic Christianity, called Hearts of Ecstasy, God of Love. In previous centuries, my friend, I am sure that we would have been (and, in fact,
were) dragged before a formal court and charged with the "serious sin" of "heresy." In previous centuries, this was a very dangerous, and often lethal, charge.:(
I know that the nuns are sweet and openminded. I cannot help but wonder how Brother St. Francis, or Jesus, would have been accepted or rejected by traditionalists. It is clear that the orthodox of their day rejected them both. I would much prefer to follow them than to play "follow the leader" with religious people who do not know their noses from their elbows, spiritually speaking.:):) The average orthodox person, exactly like her leaders, is kept in perpetual darkness.
The orthodox Church, supposedly the carrier and supporter of the Light, casts only a huge shadow into life, really upholding darkness and crippling conservatism. Jesus and Francis were anything but conservatives! And we can thank God that they had the courage to speak up against the disabling conservatism of their time!:) Without "radical" spirituality, our poor world would be in much worse condition than it is!
If the formal, official Church did not reject our work for Love, we would very likely be doing something very wrong! So, their responses are proof that we are on the right track.
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People of a good heartmind have very often been soundly rejected by the orthodox Catholic Church, all throughout its long and rather dark history. Bias has always been the problem with the religiously orthodox, and has often slipped over into bigotry.:( I am currently finishing a book about the history of orthodoxy and its many conflicts with gnostic Christianity, called Hearts of Ecstasy, God of Love. In previous centuries, my friend, I am sure that we would have been (and, in fact,
were) dragged before a formal court and charged with the "serious sin" of "heresy." In previous centuries, this was a very dangerous, and often lethal, charge.:(
I know that the nuns are sweet and openminded. I cannot help but wonder how Brother St. Francis, or Jesus, would have been accepted or rejected by traditionalists. It is clear that the orthodox of their day rejected them both. I would much prefer to follow them than to play "follow the leader" with religious people who do not know their noses from their elbows, spiritually speaking.:):) The average orthodox person, exactly like her leaders, is kept in perpetual darkness.
The orthodox Church, supposedly the carrier and supporter of the Light, casts only a huge shadow into life, really upholding darkness and crippling conservatism. Jesus and Francis were anything but conservatives! And we can thank God that they had the courage to speak up against the disabling conservatism of their time!:) Without "radical" spirituality, our poor world would be in much worse condition than it is!
If the formal, official Church did not reject our work for Love, we would very likely be doing something very wrong! So, their responses are proof that we are on the right track.
*******
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Good Passion!
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If passion be craziness, keep me away from that dull, boring "prison" called "respectability.":) Life on earth, as you have probably noticed, is a very tough, very long, haul! So, we owe it to ourselves, as part of selflove, to have as much non-harmful fun as possible! While this does not mean giving in to indulgence every time-- or you would be the size of a house-- it does mean periodically, moderately enjoying the great God-given gifts of the senses. In the past, when selfstyled "spiritual" people condemned all sensuality, they went way too far, off the path of moderation. For what in the world could ever be "sinful" about imbibing the fresh scent of a rose, watching a lovely sunset, or enjoying the "music" of crickets and treefrogs on a lovely spring evening? Most yielded that these "senses" were "probably okay," but still despised the richer senses involving the indispensable human touch, and, more deeply, sexuality-- even between people who were committed to Love and enduring relationship. It has been scientifically validated that children who are reared without human touch actually die-- through "absence of thriving."
Our Western society has experienced some kind of terrible mix-up here, and its anti-sexual bigotry has nothing to do with God (Love).
*******
If passion be craziness, keep me away from that dull, boring "prison" called "respectability.":) Life on earth, as you have probably noticed, is a very tough, very long, haul! So, we owe it to ourselves, as part of selflove, to have as much non-harmful fun as possible! While this does not mean giving in to indulgence every time-- or you would be the size of a house-- it does mean periodically, moderately enjoying the great God-given gifts of the senses. In the past, when selfstyled "spiritual" people condemned all sensuality, they went way too far, off the path of moderation. For what in the world could ever be "sinful" about imbibing the fresh scent of a rose, watching a lovely sunset, or enjoying the "music" of crickets and treefrogs on a lovely spring evening? Most yielded that these "senses" were "probably okay," but still despised the richer senses involving the indispensable human touch, and, more deeply, sexuality-- even between people who were committed to Love and enduring relationship. It has been scientifically validated that children who are reared without human touch actually die-- through "absence of thriving."
Our Western society has experienced some kind of terrible mix-up here, and its anti-sexual bigotry has nothing to do with God (Love).
*******
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