In a message dated 98-11-21 02:15:05 EST, you write: << It's not just a question of sky gods vs. earth gods, or Christian vs. pantheist, either, but is far more complicated. For me it is a question: how can we stop participating in systemic beliefs and their results and instead create real change based on diversity and sustainability? How can we make the leap beyond? Sincerely, Jane >> Hi! I agree with Jane - we need to stop participating in beliefs systems that cause problems to diversity and sustainability. Then we need to ask - How do people form beliefs that hurt diversity and sustainability? My opinion: From infancy to adulthood there is an onslaught of negative teachings and negative messages about spirituality and economics - which form harmful beliefs. A harmful belief regarding spirituality for example would be a man asserting dominion over a woman because God is a white male and so is he and therefore, he can treat her anyway he wants! WRONG - he has an obligation to treat that woman as he would himself and as an equal heir to a life of grace - never had he the right to treat her wrong - But because of a religious upbringing - where the God as father (not to be mistaken as God as male/lover - woman/hater) was not taught properly. Another harmful spiritual belief for example would be that animals exist FOR us and not with us - as if God created animals FOR us and not with us - oh maybe God created us FOR the animals - to protect and guard them- to share the Earth with them. Also, the teachings that God created us as hopeless sinning, animal hating creatures - should be retaught in that God created us as worthy of goodness, forgiveness and capable of love and compassion for each other and the other animals - we just need to be more open to reference for life - that needs to be taught - God does not dictate that we should not be. Another VERY harmful economic belief - money can buy happiness! Then if happiness is the goal - money is the answer! No Love is the Answer! What should be taught is that the intangibles in life: self-respect, love, dignity, .. . . can bring happiness - money just brings opportunities- an opportunity for exchange not happiness itself. I hope I didn't sound preachy - I was just trying to point out examples of how we can change perceptions and beliefs without having people lose their religion. I think it is just time for readjustment and rethinking for many- adjust to the fact that we are connected to nature - and then rethink our position in regards to that! Peace! Angela
