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Post by glrogers67 on Aug 8, 2016 4:14:41 GMT
Welcome!! You have entered a space where all people are invited to gather to discuss matters of Spirituality, in mutual respect and friendliness: "Considering...Spirituality." Here, the focus is on personal spirituality and not dogma. We welcome with open arms people from any, all, and no religious/faith backgrounds, and those who practice spirituality on their own, to join us for a discussion centered on a higher consciousness. Each day there will be a quote, question, or discussion prompt presented for all to ponder and respond to.
**In maintaining an atmosphere of comfort and trust, we do not allow proselytizing (the effort of trying to convert others) or the denigrating of the religions and viewpoints of others. We also avoid bringing up topics such as politics, hot button social issues, or anything that can be considered divisive**
As this was a WW board, we also discuss our personal wellness, including our weight management program. We share our struggles and our triumphs regarding such as well as discuss things like family, friends, jobs, hobbies, outside interests, etc... We strive to build each other up with loving support in a positive manner. Let us not ever tear one another down in any way, shape or form.
Regular thread starters for the time being are:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Gary
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Holly
Yet if anyone is so inclined, please feel free to start a new thread by beginning with the title: "Considering....(topic -q/q)", post this introduction (by way of copy & paste) then follow that with a post putting forth a question and/or quote (with or without some explanation) for us to ponder today. The topic can be inspired by your personal faith, but please do remember that anyone from other spiritual paths should be able to answer it.
Shalom, Love & Light, Blessed Be, Namaste...
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Post by glrogers67 on Aug 8, 2016 4:22:17 GMT
The following is from an article in the Deseret News:
PROVO, Utah — Ally Isom is no Pollyanna about the public arena. She has had the thickness of her skin tested as a spokeswoman for the LDS Church and deputy chief of staff for Utah's governor.
So she is realistic about how overwhelming it can be to defend religious beliefs when cutting voices are peddling polarization. Even so, Isom suggested Thursday that Mormons should do more than just engage with opponents and critics. She encouraged them to tackle tough issues without contention.
"We cannot privately pray in our chapels and homes for the healing of divisions and unity in our hearts, and then publicly berate those whose ideas or practices differ from ours," Isom said at the 18th annual FairMormon conference. "Our covenant duty is to resist pride and offense."
Ally Isom offered a checklist for Mormons as they consider their conduct in the public arena. She titled it "A disciple's reality check."
Although this list is addressing Mormons, I believe it can apply to many faith groups:
Q/Q's:
A Disciple's Reality Check
1. Do my words hurt or strengthen?
2. Do my words marginalize or divide or unify?
3. Does the Spirit tell me to pause and reconsider better words?
4. Do I see others through God’s eyes and regard them as part of the solution?
5. Do I honor others’ agency?
6. What does the Spirit tell me about their hearts?
7. What words and tone would Jesus Christ use?
8. Do I speak truth in love?
9. Am I patient with the progressive understanding and path of others?
10. Do I forgive others and myself?
11. Do I love and pray for all in the arena?
12. Do I trust God and submit to his will and timing?
13. Do I recognize my spiritual gifts and accept my stewardship?
14. Am I pressing forward, steadfast in Christ, feasting upon his words about this issue?
15. Do I allow the Holy Ghost to tell me what to do and how to do it?
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Post by hollygail on Aug 8, 2016 16:27:06 GMT
I believe my words strengthen. I’m fairly cognizant of which words I use and when. I’m better at this when I’m in a classroom than when DH and I are alone, which is good for my income (not to mention my students), but not anywhere near as good for my personal relationship…
I attempt to use words that unify rather than divide or marginalize. This is especially true in the classroom, but also when I’m “on” (for instance, when I’m in a position of leadership other than in the classroom). I’m not so sure I see ohers through God’s eyes, but we are taught that all people are created “b’tzelem elohim,” in God’s image; I don’t assume things about people based on the way they appear (attire, hair, etc.) but rather on how they comport themselves. And I’m not reckless in how I criticize someone or something; I come at it more from a stance of mentoring than from an adversarial place.
I’m not sure what “patient with the progressive understand and path of others” means. I recognize that my views may not be other people’s views, and I’m willing to listen to other people’s views; I do, however, cut the conversation short if the other person says disrespectful things. Depending on how passionate someone else’s tone is, I’m willing to walk away rather than escalate the situation.
Forgiveness is something else though. There are things I just plain do not forgive. And I avoid the person I’m unwilling to forgive. I do forgive myself, and sometimes I find I have to forgive myself for the same incident several times before I finally get over it…
Yes, I trust God; God has my best interests in mind (if I may use that expression). As for timing, there are certainly times I don’t like the timing and may gripe about it, but ultimately, yes, I accept that things happen for a reason, whether or not I know what the reason is.
Absolutely I accept my spiritual gifts, and yes, I accept my stewardship, although I’ve never thought of it in terms of “stewardship.” I was taught (as a child) that in the Jewish community, it is the responsibility of each adult Jew to do whatever s/he has the ability to do in and for the Jewish community and the world at large. I absolutely step up to that responsibility.
And I think #15 is much like #12.
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Post by christinall on Aug 8, 2016 17:26:50 GMT
Q/Q's:
A Disciple's Reality Check
1. Do my words hurt or strengthen? It depends on the context of the conversation and to Whom I am speaking.
2. Do my words marginalize or divide or unify? MArginalize- NO. divide? maybe again context..... unify? sometimes
3. Does the Spirit tell me to pause and reconsider better words? Yes, Most of the Time I listen.
4. Do I see others through God’s eyes and regard them as part of the solution? Not everyone is a part of the solution. I try to view all people as people and not create categories into which to box them. This helps me in my line of business and in family where our ethnicities are quite varied due to marriage.
5. Do I honor others’ agency? I am not sure what this means.
6. What does the Spirit tell me about their hearts? God has not really spoken to me about many people. I trust my Gut which is a grace received when you are confirmed in the Catholic Church.
7. What words and tone would Jesus Christ use? This is not a very inclusive question. It is specific to Christianity.
8. Do I speak truth in love? Not sure I understand this question
9. Am I patient with the progressive understanding and path of others? same as #8
10. Do I forgive others and myself? Not always. It depends on the degree of hurt and lasting ramifications.
11. Do I love and pray for all in the arena? No not all. I pray for my family friends co workers. I pray for the sick, the dying and the imprisoned. I pray for the poor and for Holy Men and Women all over the World. I pray for peace of nations and of neighbors.
12. Do I trust God and submit to his will and timing? YES
13. Do I recognize my spiritual gifts and accept my stewardship? YES
14. Am I pressing forward, steadfast in Christ, feasting upon his words about this issue? This is really not a very inclusive question. Its very specific to Christianity.
15. Do I allow the Holy Ghost to tell me what to do and how to do it? NO. I rely upon my judgement and common sense. If I am not sure, I will pray about it and know that God trusts me to be responsible with my words, deeds and actions.
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Post by glrogers67 on Aug 9, 2016 2:28:52 GMT
I wanted to respond to a couple of your responses, Christina.
I tend to agree with your answer to #4. Not everybody is part of the solution, but I think the point of the question was to try to see how people different from us can contribute to a discussion which might lead to a solution. I realize there are people so different from us that no amount of discussion can lead to a solution.
Q5: Perhaps I need to explain the LDS view of agency. Agency in our view is our God-given freedom of choice. So the question is speaking to whether we honor other peoples' freedom of choice even if we disagree with it.
Q7 and Q14 refer to Jesus Christ who is central to LDS beliefs and theology. Please feel free to substitute another person/deity/idea in these questions.
Q8 and Q9 - "They" say the truth hurts if it is pointing out the deficiencies of another person. I have personally had a very hard time with this one because my gf doesn't mince words when she points out changes I need to make, but to make things worse - she can back it up with scripture! Somehow, the truth is easier to accept if it comes from God! I think the ideas of these questions have to do with whether we temper the truth with empathy.
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