Jeffrey,
You said "Only one belief system can be right. The only recourse is to
condemn anyone who has beliefs different than your own."
I would like to respectfully disagree, sir. IMHO (batteries not included,
some assembly required, YMMV), the Creator would accept any and all forms of
well-meant non-harmful worship. I believe that my faith is right for ME,
and benefits me. I do NOT assume that my faith would be a positive thing
for you. BUT I do not necessarily believe that your faith is "wrong" nor
will I condemn it. In fact, it may be PERFECT for you and your life. Well
and good.
As a metaphor, I suggest Braver's 31 Flavors School of Theology, based on
frozen desserts.
Most ice creams start with the same base ingredients. There are variants
like sorbet, frozen yogurt, etc., but let's not digress too much. Some
flavors are "pure" like Vanilla, Chocolate, etc. Then you have textured
ones, like Chocolate Chip, or really chewy ones with almonds etc. Then
there are the blends, like Mocha Fudge Almond or (mmm) Peanut Butter
Chocolate.
I happen to really like the latter two flavors. I will NOT criticize you
for liking Strawberry. Nor will I shove my PBC cone in your face. I may
say "I really like this flavor, would you like to taste it?".
What would REALLY upset me is if you told me I was "wrong" for liking these
flavors, or that I couldn't eat them, or that I had to have a bite of
Strawberry even if I didn't like it. (Metaphor for the school prayer
posting "in Jesus' name".)
Or, even worse, if you tried to burn my home, rape my wife, drive me from my
land, because I did not share your beliefs (can you say "former Yugoslavia"
for example?) [NOTE: I do NOT mean you "personally" sir!!]
We even explained to our kids when they were little that Daddy believes in
praying directly to God, and Mommy believes in praying to God through Jesus,
but it's the same God. Somehow, it worked. They were educated as Reform
Jews, with Mommy's help (she even learned some Hebrew so we could both help
them with their homework, and she felt it was not inappropriate since they
were learning about God). The kids honor and respect Mom's strong Christian
beliefs, and do not see this as a conflict.
Have a terrific day, amigo.
Ben
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffry Houser [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 9:54 AM
To: CF-Community
Subject: Re: Belief-O-Matic
>>Is it me or does the Unitarian doctrine sound like it
>>could be summed up in one word - "Whatever".
>
>
>It's you. I think I could sum it up better as "Do no harm" or "Think about
>how you can be part of the good that exists in the world." I know a lot of
>Unitarians and each one of them is kind, generous, and rational. It's a
big
>craze among college professors. My mother recently joined the Unitarians
>(converted isn't a good word for it since they do not believe that
>religions are necessarily mutually exclusive).
>
>
>And although I do not count myself among their numbers (despite my rating
>on the test) I admit that I was disturbed that a self-proclaimed religious
>person would mock another religion like you just did.
I hate to butt in here, but if one religion accepts another it gives
credence to the belief system that is not their own, thus negating the
whole purpose of religion in the first-place. Only one belief system can
be right. The only recourse is to condemn anyone who has beliefs different
than your own.
Granted, in the business world it's easier to avoid the topic altogether
than start holy wars and offend potential/existing customers and employees.
> Obviously
>Unitarianism isn't strict enough for you and doesn't dictate enough rules
>for your taste, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't have a system of
>beliefs. In fact, its system of belief dictates that the thing that you
>just did that disturbed me is a bad thing.
>
>
>Or in other words, if you don't want people to hold your beliefs against
>you, don't hold theirs against them.
>
>
>This rational flame was underwritten by the Unitarian Church. Or
something.
Whatever! :smile:
Jeffry Houser | mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
AIM: Reboog711 | ICQ: 5246969 | Phone: 860-229-2781
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