I've always been fascinated by religion.
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of my family's summer holidays on the island of Corfu. August 15 is when all of Greece pays homage to the Virgin Mary. I remember going to church on that day every year, and sitting quietly among widows in black kerchiefs and younger women smelling of summer wool and candle smoke. I would watch, enthralled, as deep faith and memories moved them to tears of grief and hope. And, in my childish way, I shared their love for her.
I believe that we are all hardwired for the sacred, that the instinct for spirituality is part of our collective DNA. I wrote about this instinct 15 years ago, and called it the fourth instinct, the one beyond survival, sex, and power. It propels us to find meaning and transcend our everyday preoccupations.
For some, it involves organized religion. For others, it's a personal spiritual quest. Seventy percent of Americans belong to a religious organization and 40 percent attend services once a week.
Yet, despite the central role religion plays in American life, all too often, when talking about it, we end up talking at each other instead of with each other. This is a shame -- especially at a time like this, when the economic struggle in so many people's lives has led to a deeper questioning of our values and priorities. Whether you are a believer or not, this is an essential conversation to have...which is why I'm delighted to announce that we are launching HuffPost Religion -- a section featuring a wide-ranging discussion about religion, spirituality, and the ways they influence our lives.
Like all our sections, HuffPost Religion will bring you the latest news -- in this case about all things religion-related -- served up in the HuffPost style. It will also be home to an open and fearless dialogue about all the ways religion affects both our personal and our public lives. And it will do so in a way that moves beyond the pigeonhole depictions of both the faithful and the agnostic we see so frequently -- and also beyond the tired assumption that God is a card-carrying member of one political party or another.
HuffPost Religion is being edited by Paul Raushenbush, an Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University and an ordained Baptist minister. As a passionate and brilliant religious thinker, pastor, writer and college dean, Paul is ideally suited to the challenge of presenting multiple viewpoints and insights, as well as the real-world implications of religion for American life.
So, among other things, you can expect discussions about the relationship between religion and science; the role religion can play in overcoming personal obstacles and attaining a sense of well-being; the ways religion is portrayed in pop culture; how religious commitments influence politicians and key domestic policy debates; and the effect of religion on foreign policy issues and international relations.
The bloggers who will be posting on HuffPost Religion will be a great mix of religious heavyweights and up-and-coming voices in the field. Today's thought-provoking lineup includes Rev. Jim Wallis on the spiritual crisis of the recession; Deepak Chopra on the continued importance of spirituality; Eboo Patel on the crucial importance of interfaith relations; Sister Joan Chittister on the future of the Roman Catholic Church; Rabbi Or Rose on the role of religion when it comes to the environment; Dr. Eddie Glaude on the declining power of the Black Church; Sharon Salzberg on Buddhism's "middle way"; Brian McLaren on 'new Evangelicals'; and Steven Barrie Anthony on technology and spirituality.
"Ask your soul!" pleads Herman Hesse in My Belief. "Your soul will not blame you for having cared too little about politics, for having exerted yourself too little, hated your enemies too little, or too little fortified your frontiers. But she will perhaps blame you for so often having feared and fled from her demands, for never having had time to give her..."
So give a little time over to explore these questions and concerns that are at the heart of HuffPost Religion. And let us know what you think. The conversation starts now.
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
(Joel Chernoff)
Have you ever heard Messiah has come?
It says in His Word to cleanse every one
Atonement He made iniquity bore
That we can find life in Him evermore
The Sacrifice Lamb has been slain
His blood on the alter a stain
To wipe away guilt and pain
To bring hope eternal
Salvation has come to the world
God's only Son to the world
Jesus the one for the world
Yeshua is He
The prophets of old speak much of Messiah
His death is foretold the purpose is clear
Isaiah did say 'twas for an atonement
To give us a way that leads not to death
The Sacrifice Lamb has been slain
His blood on the alter a stain
To wipe away guilt and pain
To bring hope eternal
Salvation has come to the world
God's only Son to the world
Jesus the one for the world
Yeshua is He
So brothers of mine look not to yourselves
For we are but one we all need His help
We've broken the Law but He paid our debt
That we can find life by Yeshua's death
The Sacrifice Lamb has been slain
His Blood on the alter a stain
To wipe away guilt and pain
To bring hope eternal
So final atonement has come
And brought us new hope by God's Son
If you will believe in your heart
Yeshua you'll know
Jesus, speaking of Satan said, "Hereafter I will not talk much with you:
for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" [John 14:30 KJV].
What does "...hath nothing in me" mean?
-In Eve, Satan found a susceptibility to deceit and manipulation. Adam followed in her downfall.
-In Cain; a spirit of jealousy, provoking him to murder his own brother.
-In King David, a lust that overtook his judgement. Solomon was able to be lured away from righteousness by his many wives*1, and worshiped other gods.
-Satan exploited a bigotry in Jonah against the people of Ninevah, and "had that" in him.
-In one strong in Spirit- John the Baptist, Satan created doubt when imprisoned*2. In Peter, Satan exploited fear of harm as he denied Messiah three times.
But in Jesus of Nazareth, he found the brightness of His Glory as being the only begotten of the Father, filled with the Spirit without measure*3. He saw greater love than any man had before*4, so strong in Spirit, even the wind and the sea obeyed Him. Satan saw that Jesus lived by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. Satan found that in Jesus, dwelt the fullness of the Godhead, bodily*5, and that in Him was life, which was the Light of men*6.
Satan had nothing in Him,
--///ms
*1[1st Kings 11:4)
*2[Matthew 11:3]
*3[John 3:34]
*4[John 15:13]
*5[Colossians 2:9]
*6[John 1:4]
- get a new uniform,
- stand for inspection,
- but do *NOT get caught with...
"A Little White Tag"
(...or, How I spent my first time visit to a nearby Baptist Church)
-ms
http://www.circlegame.com/live/tag.htm
Here is a sample of the great things he does!
http://www.wordonfire.org/trackback/125c476a-6f13-44ef-a9b1-ecf2efa9ef90/Fr--Barron-comments-on-Religious-Drifters.aspx
http://www.wordonfire.org/Written-Word/articles-commentaries/January-2010/The-Question-in-the-Protestant-Catholic-Debate.aspx
As opposed to fearing sectarianism (as a result of the establishment of HuffPo's Religion conference) perhaps it could be looked on by those who *do have a faith in their Creator God, as an opportunity to share about His goodness and kindness to us.
That idea could be placed in the form of a question, "Has the God that you know, showed you an act of kindness, favor, or mercy which you have received, that you would be willing to share with others, for the sole purpose of His glory and thanksgiving?"
It's freezing outside... it has been a (relative) rough winter for the east coast of the United States. During this time, I have been warm, my family has been provided with shelter, we have been fed, and are not hungry. The children are happy, and they bounce off of the furniture in seemingly endless celebration.
I would like to take this opportunity to humbly thank (for me) Jesus of Nazareth, who has provided such blessings to me.
And in because of this concept for a conference by the Huffington Post, the floor is open to us *all.
-ms
Captain's Log: Stardate: 02/26/2010 23:45 hrs
Bethany: I'm beginning to feel contractions, it's time to go to the hospital.
Michael: But we just put the kids to sleep...
Bethany: I know.
Stardate: 02/27/2010 01:20 hrs
Van running, last child strapped in
Crossed Woodrow Wilson Bridge targeting Telegraph Road for INOVA Alexandria Hospital.
Exit blocked due to contruction.
Converse with two VA State Troopers right there with lights flashing.
Declined ambulance in trade for advise to 395N to Seminary Road
03:10 hrs
Bethany admitted to Labor and Delivery.
No option but to part for home (no children admitted due to H1N1 threat).
Returned home put children back to bed. Pass out
0700 hrs
Riiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg! (awakened)
Bethany: Hi- Been walking a few hours- if nothing soon - Pastossin. Call Arlene, and get here?
0735 hrs
Children delivered to Arlene, who made them pancakes, and where they were introduced to the WII product line.
Head to hospital.
1101 hrs
10cm dilation! Push one, Push two
1108 hrs
Rayna!
http://www.circlegame.com/photoshop/r1.jpg
http://www.circlegame.com/photoshop/r2.jpg
Before this wonder, I have had a joy-filled relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, via His Spirit.*1
After this wonder- witnessing how God made those little fingers, eyes, face, and smile, it would be certainly impossible to listen to conversation that denies the existance of the Almighty, Everliving Creator God.
---
*1 (In a conference dedicated to spirituallity, I hope the non-believers will understand.)
He is not responsible for tragedy.
Original sin is the root cause of all bad.
We bring everything onto ourselves because He gave us free will.
If the mother in Haiti is right with the Lord, she will see her baby again in Heaven.
The things in this life are temporary and he will dry all the tears of those who have salvation.
I wanted to add that (if / when) I lose someone that I really, really love (I have) then, I thank God Almighty who gave me the joy of knowing that person and sharing their life, for as long as I did.
Had it not been for Him, who gave that joy and brought us together, I would have never known that love. -ms
Thank you, friend. -ms
A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come
So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son
But gave him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
fin
It really couldn't be said better- or sung more beautifully -- ms
YouTube search: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV-lX1FedWU
"Who could stand against us
Our God is with us"
another sick "my god's dick is bigger than your god's dick"
Let us kill all of those who don't believe as we do - sounds about right for religion
Ah, the sheer wonder of it all. Gods, angels, virgins, harps, fairies, aliens, thetans, quantum, spirits, relativity, energy, oneness, zodiacs, mayan calenders...
Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life, was invited to speak at the annual Islamic Society of North America's annual convention in Washington DC last July 4th weekend, and he said he was interested not in parsing theological differences, but in working together, literally, by focusing on good works. If we all set our theological pontificating aside and did just that, there would be a whole lot less whining and finger-pointing, and just imagine all the good we'd do. Which is what all religions state is their reason for being - to do good in God's name.
I guess the problem lies in people not doing good, but still claiming an affiliation with a religion.
Yes, it's called selling advertising.
for too long the progressive liberal person that was religious was not accepted as credible in left of center discussions that for some reason had to be led by atheists - and atheists actually believed that what they believed but could not prove - that there is no God - was "smarter and more logical" so they had a right to mock the religious.
If done politely, this could be an interesting forum. We could discuss personal god versus an Einstein type God that is not a personal God. We could discuss clockmaker God "scientific law" intervention and miracles versus a personal God quantum mechanical hand on the odds intervention that might better fit "freewill". We could discuss "scientific law" and note that only math, of all our efforts at "science", is truly not "subjective". We could discuss different traditions, rituals and their effect on us.
But based on my experience watching posting by those on the left over the years, my guess is that in a year this space will be hate filled mocking of the religious that dare post, and little else. The secular humanists have little respect for the religious humanists. Since all that the religious see and which moves them in their religion is also seen by the atheists only to get a response of "so what", I really doubt discourse worth reading will develop.
But I do thank HuffPo for giving it a try - and I hope I am wrong this time.
Yes quit blaming God - I agree - sadly that "blaming" is fueled by folks that have done and do all sorts of nasty things "in the name of God" and also some "religious people" abusing the good in a cynical effort to control and manipulate others (through lies.)
It matters not the rationale for all of this lying - far too many to catalogue here.
This of course manufactures a great deal of contempt and intolerance within both camps - each of the other (let alone all those within major religious factions, denominations, offshoots, sects, cults, political, cultural, tribes.)
Some one wrote about the natural "balance" existing within the universe - creation and destruction - the balance of competing narratives -- good versus evil - right versus wrong - moral versus amoral, me against you, us against them.
The building of an unshakable foundation that becomes faith.
Men and women possess free will - free to choose good acts or bad acts. - or whichever definition of God that one likes or none at all. I enjoy learning from everyone -
Maybe God is simply inspired good acts - do no harm - creative intelligence - true wisdom.
The biggest barrier to overcome it seems is the human being's persistent nature of attempting to make others less through pettiness, trifling, intolerant attitudes, indifference and the hatred of other men and women's ideals and beliefs "not of their own."
I appreciate both your story and your contribution.
A fellow traveler ...
But what about all those who claim faith and yes trust in God and who believe no such things at all. It is also sad but worth noting that in both of those tragedies - human error - - man's lack of previous right action, planning and preparation DID play a huge role resulting in much greater destruction and loss of life.
It is well understood - that poorly constructed levee's and other living arrangements in New Orleans were a disaster in the making for its inhabitant's in the event of "the perfect storm."
There were warnings issued - grievously ignored.
Likewise it is well understood through the corruption of men aided by a historical contempt for Haiti and Haiti's people, failed policies of first world countries towards Haiti - primed that nation for the massive destruction and loss of life we have just witnessed there.
Who then has the best argument in defense of a "moral position" - those that say God has judged - and thereby wrought destruction on these places and its people .. Or those whom say "there is no God" - only the superior intellect of "well reasoned man."
I would say neither of these has the "higher moral claim or authority" over the other.
Your offer that Non-Believers are welcome is not genuine.
Believers can post comments that make no sense and cannot be verified and they are published, yet when I as a Non-Believer post comments that make no sense and cannot be verified they are censored.
In a forum where believers and Non-believers are really welcome to post then anything other than abuse directed at other posters should be allowed.
This is not the case and the result is bigotry against Non-believers.