In the discussion thread: Three Words In The Bible That Some People Totally Ignore [View all]
Response to tedbear (Reply #8)
Fri Apr 27, 2012, 08:16 PM
mojowork_n (2,354 posts)
20. Tough question. Best short answer I can think of...
...is that the Gospel Message ("Love One Another"
![]() any number of other religions. From Confucius' Golden Rule (which sounds an awful lot like the "Do on to Others" message in Christian teaching) to the respect for Others and the Earth taught by 'primitive'/indigenous people, it would appear that there's at least a little bit of consensus on the meaning of spiritual values, no matter where or from what religious tradition different people are from. But what also seems to show up, in looking at Christianity and other belief systems as well, is that the basic message is often received differently, in sharply contrasting ways. Some people are able to accept that "it's not all about you," that the real meaning or purpose of life is bigger than the recipient. Other folks are more afraid, more angry or full of themselves or whatever, so they tend to confuse their own personal outcomes with the fundamental meaning. For whatever it's worth, that contrasting world view also seems to be echoed in political life. Hard line Republicans (I'm talking about today's Republicans, not the leaders who once helped define that party, like Eisenhower or Dirksen or Percy) now emphasize "You're on your Own" when it comes to critical decision-making, and Democrats prefer to consider "we're all in this together" when the answer to the question is really important. As a professing Christian, myself (I'm Eastern Orthodox, and have to admit that I honestly value weekly get-together's with some of my most valued personal friends, on a regular basis) it bothers me that that's the way things go, established-religion-wise. But what are you going to do? Decide if fear, isolation and anxiety are going to rule your life, or maybe there's more to it than that. |
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