We turned off the news and headed to work and class. The day was still and solemn in disbelief. Today my thoughts and prayers are with the families last lost their love ones and with those who are serving our country.
Alma 31: 31-32
Monday, September 11, 2006
The Day Ryan and I Got Cable
Today back in 2001 is the day Ryan and I first purchased cable TV. My mother called us around 7am and told us to turn on the news...To my suprise and horror we were watching the Twin Towers burning. We were struck and a deep sadness came over me when I thought of all those who were there and affected so closely.
We turned off the news and headed to work and class. The day was still and solemn in disbelief. Today my thoughts and prayers are with the families last lost their love ones and with those who are serving our country.
We turned off the news and headed to work and class. The day was still and solemn in disbelief. Today my thoughts and prayers are with the families last lost their love ones and with those who are serving our country.
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I said this one this morn in remembrance of 9/11:
(Roman Catholic prayer used in times of sorrow)
God of all consolation,
in your unending love and mercy for us,
you turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.
Show compassion to your people in sorrow.
Be our refuge and our strength
to lift us from the darkness of this grief
to peace and joy in your presence.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
-----
You know I've always been introspective, but as I get older (and watch younger generations grow and learn) I find myself renumerating more so on the catalysts of discord (not only in war, but in every day cases of discontent- searching for answers if only to aid my nuclear family) and of reasonable alternatives or even solutions. I find myself oftentimes coming to the same ironic standstill: That even though people find so much love, joy and repose in their own religion; religion itself has been and still is one of the foremost cause of hatred and fear of others.
I had an stimulating conversation about this very thing this morning with my dad.
I'd be interested in hearing your take on the subject...
Love.
I would argue your quote "religion itself has been and still is one of the foremost cause of hatred and fear of others."It think that negates individual responsibility. We hear many times...."the devil made me do it" or "it is God's will".Even so, we are agents of our own actions and will be held accountable for them. Yet how do we know if it is God's will to fight or kill others...just as Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac?
Through the power of the Holy Ghost which testifies of truth....There can be no decieving when we seek personal revalation.
To continue, I think that there are definately people who preach hatred and fear as "the word of God" thus making it part of some of their belief system. Yet, religion the cause of fear and hatred? I would not say that religion is the cause rather - the people of that religion and their own interpretations cause of their own "fear and hatred"
This is why it is so important that to know that God gave us a way in which we can recognize truth in the words of prophets and through scripture. Anyone can pray in faith to God to know what is true and through the Holy Ghost and his witness we shall find our answer. I think Satan wants us to believe that we can not speak to God, and that he does not have prophets and new revalation....yet we can test this by simply praying and searching through scripture and the Lord will answer...
John 14:26 But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Matthew 7:
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth devil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
To conclude, it is my belief that God does not teach us to hate or fear...fear in righteousness maybe but not of hatred and lack of understanding...
He taught to pray for our enemy's, to love our neighbors, and to love Him.
I agree with you that each individual is responsible for his/her own fear/hatred. I also agree that God does not intend or teach either. However, religion by definition is:
A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency (or agencies), usually involving devotional and ritual observances and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
Religion oftentimes therefore has little or naught at all to do with God in God's true form (and here we may be at an impass as well, for how may I know if your belief of God's true form, even if explained- because language itself is a barrier is it not?, is consistent with mine) if you take into account how a person may develop a belief, what culture that person lives in, and what material that person has access to in order to develop religion.
These beliefs, this RELIGION then, being central to many lives, when confronted with a belief system so radically different than what s/he has come to accept as the truth (when challenged or disrupted), you say does not generate fear (hate and violence here included, as it is a product of fear)? What then of Israel? Of 9/11? Matthew Shepard (sp)?
What does then generate fear and hate?
Juls, I think we may be arguing on the same point, but from differing vantages. Please know I'm not trying to argue - I find knowing someone elses thoughts on a matter helps to clarify my own. I am forever searching for home, you know?
I find your choice of scripture (Matthew 7:17-20) interesting, but perhaps that is another discussion...
Love.
I love this conversation and in no way do I take offense! I love being able to chew this stuff up and think deeply about my beliefs and the beliefs of others...so here here for this discussion!
First of all I want to revisit the definition of religion (I think it a good one):
A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency (or agencies), usually involving devotional and ritual observances and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
I do not think this negates my statement of personal responsibility but rather enforces my belief that religion is truth mixed with one’s own understanding…My mother and I were talking about this the other day...since Christ’s death Christianity has branched into all different forms with different scriptures, beliefs, and so forth….each, I believe, caring some truth. Thus again, I agree that religion has truth put together combined with the understanding of an individual or group of people. Note that the definition does not include the creator of the “beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe…” Interesting. So I don’t think we are at an impasse, rather in agreement that experience influences our beliefs (this includes language acquisition, learning, thinking, access and the like). Because when then take our experiences, truths that are given through revelation (and/or written as scripture) and create religion all types and sizes
And again, any time our beliefs (whether inherently true or strongly believed) are challenged we may feel a rift, generate fear and possibly hate…. In this instance lack of compassion, understanding, and strength could possibly contribute to our reason’s of fear. Every person may have a different motivation and Religion (as created and understood by woman/man) could also contribute. So a-ha you got me…religion may indeed be a catalyst for fear and hate. But only religion as man has created!
So, what religion hasn’t been tainted or changed by man? Even scripture is written by man…so how do we find the truth…how do we become and live the way as God intended?....Well, again we reach out first in faith believe that one: there is a God…and two He can speak to us directly…and three He has given us power to discern truth.
Let us continue…..
Much Love MUUUUUUAAAAAHHHH (this is the sound of a kiss)
Only religion as man has created it. Yes. (Some of course would argue that religion in itself IS manmade, that it cannot be untainted because man is not untainted; that because of the nature of human life- say there is no way to communicate with another realm- we can never truly know if our spiritual beliefs are confirmed, so there is no religion but that which is created by us here on earth. Some I know go so far as to call it all ridiculousness.) Of course, that is why we must have faith, you're right. It's so funny that you remind me of God's promise that we may communicate directly, and do know the truth through God if only we allow ourselves to listen, and to accept... I constantly struggle with doubt of this. I suppose it comes down to trust- I have a hard time trusting even myself. So how does one convince themselves that a sign/word/answer
/miracle from God is truly that? How does one release control and let God work THROUGH oneself? If I were brave enough I would have allowed this years ago, and I suppose I would not be the person I am now - for my life would not be my own, it would be God's... How do we overcome fear when it is so ingrained in us? I wonder often if this is not the ultimate success in life here on earth. For if we are here to experience all ways so that we may better understand and accept ALWAYS with God (and God is LOVE - the opposite of FEAR), then going through pain, struggle, and loss is not only necessary, it is the path to content forever after...? If we may acknowledge our fear, accept our hate, then we may begin to live at peace with ourselves, and so with others? At this point do we graduate to be one with God forevermore?
Thanks for indulging me. :)
Love.
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