"Faith is forged not by the mind alone but by the mind's risky, messy encounter with the world at large. Faith is not something you have, it is something you do."
Faith in God means believing absolutely in something with no proof whatsoever. Faith in humanity means believing absolutely in something with a huge amount of proof to the contrary." -Joss Whedon
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Soul
soul |sōl|
noun
1 the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
• a person's moral or emotional nature or sense of identity : in the depths of her soul, she knew he would betray her.
• the essence of something : integrity is the soul of intellectual life.
• emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, esp. as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance : their interpretation lacked soul.
2 a person regarded as the embodiment of a specified quality : he was the soul of discretion.
• an individual person : I'll never tell a soul.
• a person regarded with affection or pity : she's a nice old soul.
3 African-American culture or ethnic pride.
• short for soul music
It is so hard to articulate what I am thinking and feeling right now.
I am taking the Process Theology seminar for my major, and even only having had class 4 times I can honestly say that it is making big changes in my beliefs. Today we talked about soul. I don't quite know what everything means, or really understand any of it, but...I was sitting in class today and John was explaining how Process views soul. Let me try to explain...
Traditional theology views the soul as a supernatural, immortal thing- an essential core, that is US and will go off to Heaven or Hell or where ever... when we pass away... It is constant. In Process, our events make us up, and our experience forms our soul. So it isn't a core- it is all of us, every cell/atom/molecule is soul. We are constantly changing- each change brings another change, one experience adding to the many and adding and adding and adding. So, by this logic, nothing about us goes unchanged- including our soul.
It is so much more profound, and complicated, and I am not doing it justice... not even close... but today in class, while we were working this out, I realized that my mind was changing.
I have always said that I could believe in Buddhism if it lacked the concept of anatman. No self/soul. Because I have always believed in a self or a soul... and an afterlife. Not Heaven or Hell, but something. And reincarnation. But... it is true that we are always changing and that our experiences affect us. That we are not who we used to be. In fact, we are totally different people. The kid I was when I was 5 is entirely different than who I am now, as an almost 21 year old. The experiences are not wiped out, but layered and layered and layered... but, I can no longer see the logic in believing that at birth I had a core self that is still with me now. It doesn't mean we are devoid of soul; but soul is ALL of us. It changes as we change. Everything we are is soul. In Process, when we pass, our experience is absorbed into God.
I think at birth we have a spark of the Divine that helps us gather our experience and grow in life, and in soul.
So- the Golden Rule takes on new relevance. Because it is Do Unto Others Souls and as You Would Have Others Do Unto Your Soul.
In this sense...soul is not abstract. Body and soul are one, not separate entities. And, instead of being able to justify doing wrong to bodies because so long as the soul is separate- it can go to "Heaven" and salvation can be hand. Soul is incarnate in our body- therefore, Harming the body = Harming the soul.
The rest I can't explain... I am sure I will write more about this as it comes to me... Process is nuts and awesome
noun
1 the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
• a person's moral or emotional nature or sense of identity : in the depths of her soul, she knew he would betray her.
• the essence of something : integrity is the soul of intellectual life.
• emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, esp. as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance : their interpretation lacked soul.
2 a person regarded as the embodiment of a specified quality : he was the soul of discretion.
• an individual person : I'll never tell a soul.
• a person regarded with affection or pity : she's a nice old soul.
3 African-American culture or ethnic pride.
• short for soul music
It is so hard to articulate what I am thinking and feeling right now.
I am taking the Process Theology seminar for my major, and even only having had class 4 times I can honestly say that it is making big changes in my beliefs. Today we talked about soul. I don't quite know what everything means, or really understand any of it, but...I was sitting in class today and John was explaining how Process views soul. Let me try to explain...
Traditional theology views the soul as a supernatural, immortal thing- an essential core, that is US and will go off to Heaven or Hell or where ever... when we pass away... It is constant. In Process, our events make us up, and our experience forms our soul. So it isn't a core- it is all of us, every cell/atom/molecule is soul. We are constantly changing- each change brings another change, one experience adding to the many and adding and adding and adding. So, by this logic, nothing about us goes unchanged- including our soul.
It is so much more profound, and complicated, and I am not doing it justice... not even close... but today in class, while we were working this out, I realized that my mind was changing.
I have always said that I could believe in Buddhism if it lacked the concept of anatman. No self/soul. Because I have always believed in a self or a soul... and an afterlife. Not Heaven or Hell, but something. And reincarnation. But... it is true that we are always changing and that our experiences affect us. That we are not who we used to be. In fact, we are totally different people. The kid I was when I was 5 is entirely different than who I am now, as an almost 21 year old. The experiences are not wiped out, but layered and layered and layered... but, I can no longer see the logic in believing that at birth I had a core self that is still with me now. It doesn't mean we are devoid of soul; but soul is ALL of us. It changes as we change. Everything we are is soul. In Process, when we pass, our experience is absorbed into God.
I think at birth we have a spark of the Divine that helps us gather our experience and grow in life, and in soul.
So- the Golden Rule takes on new relevance. Because it is Do Unto Others Souls and as You Would Have Others Do Unto Your Soul.
In this sense...soul is not abstract. Body and soul are one, not separate entities. And, instead of being able to justify doing wrong to bodies because so long as the soul is separate- it can go to "Heaven" and salvation can be hand. Soul is incarnate in our body- therefore, Harming the body = Harming the soul.
The rest I can't explain... I am sure I will write more about this as it comes to me... Process is nuts and awesome
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Morals
Morals
|ˈmôrəl; ˈmär-|
2 ( morals) a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do : the corruption of public morals.
• standards of behavior that are considered good or acceptable : they believe addicts have no morals and cannot be trusted.
morality |məˈralətē; mô-|
noun ( pl. -ties)
principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
• behavior as it is affected by the observation of these principles : the past few years have seen a sharp decline in morality.
• a particular system of values and principles of conduct, esp. one held by a specified person or society : a bourgeois morality.
• the extent to which an action is right or wrong : behind all the arguments lies the issue of the morality of the possession of nuclear weapons.
• behavior or qualities judged to be good : they saw the morality of equal pay.
See note at goodness .
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French moralite or late Latin moralitas, from Latin moralis (see moral ).
I feel like so many people my age, older and younger as well, have no idea about their morals. They live empty, hollow lives doing whatever they want without a second thought. I know I get caught up in doing this as well. We don't understand the consequences of our actions.
Enter Process theology.
I am really buying into it now.
Our actions, and experiences, get rolled into God- and so God experiences what we do- our actions and or choices also provide what God has to work with. God can only provide us with all the options- Good bad and in the middle. It is our choice to respond to God's lure to good. The our choice decides the options for the next moment. In this sense, morals and moral actions are highly important.
Think about it for awhile.
Think about what you're doing to God and the whole world.
|ˈmôrəl; ˈmär-|
2 ( morals) a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do : the corruption of public morals.
• standards of behavior that are considered good or acceptable : they believe addicts have no morals and cannot be trusted.
morality |məˈralətē; mô-|
noun ( pl. -ties)
principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
• behavior as it is affected by the observation of these principles : the past few years have seen a sharp decline in morality.
• a particular system of values and principles of conduct, esp. one held by a specified person or society : a bourgeois morality.
• the extent to which an action is right or wrong : behind all the arguments lies the issue of the morality of the possession of nuclear weapons.
• behavior or qualities judged to be good : they saw the morality of equal pay.
See note at goodness .
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French moralite or late Latin moralitas, from Latin moralis (see moral ).
I feel like so many people my age, older and younger as well, have no idea about their morals. They live empty, hollow lives doing whatever they want without a second thought. I know I get caught up in doing this as well. We don't understand the consequences of our actions.
Enter Process theology.
I am really buying into it now.
Our actions, and experiences, get rolled into God- and so God experiences what we do- our actions and or choices also provide what God has to work with. God can only provide us with all the options- Good bad and in the middle. It is our choice to respond to God's lure to good. The our choice decides the options for the next moment. In this sense, morals and moral actions are highly important.
Think about it for awhile.
Think about what you're doing to God and the whole world.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Community
I might have mentioned it before, but, something that I miss the most about going to church on a regular basis is the community aspect. Granted, it's been 7 years since I have had that in my life- and I have, to a certain extent, gotten used to it. With Scope, I have regained that somewhat, but Scope isn't necessarily a spiritual experience. We have good talks sometimes, and there are great people- but it isn't the same setting.
That being said, I have been looking for a religious community to get involved with for awhile. I am leaning towards Unitarian Universalism for many reasons. I at least want to check it out. I don't know that I could find anything close to what I am looking for elsewhere. Unless I continued on my own, which would defeat the purpose.
I guess a congregation meets at BW, in Kulas, on Sunday's... which I didn't know until I searched the interwebs for near-by UU churches. There is one in West Lake and one in Akron, so Berea is a better bet, especially if I move up there.
I also can't go to chapel with year, as I have to work on Thursdays now =( For the second time- if I move up there, I could go every other Thursday and then head to work around 1 after service. I really do enjoy John's sermons.
Searching is just as good as finding I think- all about the journey not the destination, right? I know I could use the support net, especially of people who are open, and believers. I am getting tired of the hatin' coming from my friends in the form of anti-religious sentiment and I need people who understand- and not just the people in my department either, but others. It's hard to explain.
That being said, I have been looking for a religious community to get involved with for awhile. I am leaning towards Unitarian Universalism for many reasons. I at least want to check it out. I don't know that I could find anything close to what I am looking for elsewhere. Unless I continued on my own, which would defeat the purpose.
I guess a congregation meets at BW, in Kulas, on Sunday's... which I didn't know until I searched the interwebs for near-by UU churches. There is one in West Lake and one in Akron, so Berea is a better bet, especially if I move up there.
I also can't go to chapel with year, as I have to work on Thursdays now =( For the second time- if I move up there, I could go every other Thursday and then head to work around 1 after service. I really do enjoy John's sermons.
Searching is just as good as finding I think- all about the journey not the destination, right? I know I could use the support net, especially of people who are open, and believers. I am getting tired of the hatin' coming from my friends in the form of anti-religious sentiment and I need people who understand- and not just the people in my department either, but others. It's hard to explain.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
More on Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "Repair the World."
I first read about this concept, or commandment if you will, in a book called Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett. The book changed my life. For many reasons but this was one of them...
This is the passage:
"One of the phrases that recurs most often in my interviews--in Jewish as well as non-Jewish voices-- is the moral longing to "repair the world," Tikkun Olam. There is a Jewish legend behind this notion. Sometime early in the life of the world, something happened to shatter the light of the universe into countless pieces. They lodged as sparks inside every part if creation. The highest human calling is to look for this original light from where we sit, to point to it and gather it up and in so doing to repair the world.....It insists that each one of us, flawed and inadequate as we may feel, has exactly what's needed to help repair the part of the world that we can see and touch."
It brings tears to my eyes. Reading that. Typing that. This passage showed me what I am to do with my life. Sometimes, we get brought down by the world, and it is hard to actually believe that one small person can do any good- but we can. We have to. I know that I have to. And everything I strive and dream and hope to do is for this one cause. And so I can never forget my mission to collect the sparks of Light, I got this commandment tattooed on my forearm- a reminder, for the rest of my life, of what I am here to do.
It it such a beautiful concept and legend.
If I believe in anything- it is this.
I first read about this concept, or commandment if you will, in a book called Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett. The book changed my life. For many reasons but this was one of them...
This is the passage:
"One of the phrases that recurs most often in my interviews--in Jewish as well as non-Jewish voices-- is the moral longing to "repair the world," Tikkun Olam. There is a Jewish legend behind this notion. Sometime early in the life of the world, something happened to shatter the light of the universe into countless pieces. They lodged as sparks inside every part if creation. The highest human calling is to look for this original light from where we sit, to point to it and gather it up and in so doing to repair the world.....It insists that each one of us, flawed and inadequate as we may feel, has exactly what's needed to help repair the part of the world that we can see and touch."
It brings tears to my eyes. Reading that. Typing that. This passage showed me what I am to do with my life. Sometimes, we get brought down by the world, and it is hard to actually believe that one small person can do any good- but we can. We have to. I know that I have to. And everything I strive and dream and hope to do is for this one cause. And so I can never forget my mission to collect the sparks of Light, I got this commandment tattooed on my forearm- a reminder, for the rest of my life, of what I am here to do.
It it such a beautiful concept and legend.
If I believe in anything- it is this.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sometimes, it gets to me...
This has been awhile in the making/brewing...
There are a few things I want to write about religion...
1. Addressing the "issues" people in my life have with religion
2. Why I am a religion major
3. What I want to do with it/my life- ie: my calling
1
It might seem silly, but sometimes I take for granted what I have learned in college. And how I have changed. How my mind has been opened a little more, and how my opinions and feelings towards religion have changed. Because they have. I guess it is silly of me, naive even, of me to assume that this has happened for the other people in my life. The people are negative towards anything religious in nature.
I wish they could see the beauty. The meaning.
I wish they would not be so hypocritical- Do not go around pretending to be some open minded, liberal person and then turn around an attack an entire community. Do not do this because your assumptions are based on a limited knowledge ( Mine is too ) and, to get to the point, the fundamental/evangelical Christianity isn't the only kind out there...Also, do not insult people who do believe in that kind of Christianity, or in religion at large, don't you dare insult their intelligence to me... Because you aren't only insulting them, you are insulting me as well.
Being a believer does not make you dumb. It does not negate your intelligence. Liberal, conservative...and anywhere in the middle. Some of the most intelligent people I know are believers. My friends are believers and chances are, you know people who are religious and smart as well. So do not....do not even go there, let alone jump down my throat, about this. It is ignorance. And it might seem contradictory for me to talk about tolerance, and seem intolerant at the same turn- but ignorance is hard for me to tolerate, and as far as I am concerned it should me. My ignorance and the ignorance of others.
That being said- being an atheist doesn't make you intelligent either. No matter which way you believe, it is not a marker of intelligence. So, do not make those assumptions. Well, you can make them, but just don't voice them to me.
If your natural reaction is to bash anyone Christian, or bash religion in general, I suggest you work on that.... Immediately. Not only will it be good for your inner workings, but somewhere down the line, if not already, you are going to have to make nice with someone you don't agree with- and trust me, even if you don't voice this immediate reaction, it plays out in your body language and face.
Considering all of that- I am working on my own negative feelings towards certain aspects of religion. Growing up a very Christian person, I am trying to get past my own personal problems, and the things that have made me mad, caused me anguish and pain so that I can see things through a new lens.
2
Well, simply, religion is what I am interested in. Having tried on 3 other majors in 2 years, religion feels the best. Broadcasting was a weak idea to begin with, and while PR is nice, I need something more. I can't seem to find any reason to remain a part of the English department as most of my interactions with them have left a very very bad taste in my mouth. Though, I am not just a religion major by default either.
When I got involved in Scope, and the department, I felt at home. Things just clicked. I picked up a minor my 2nd semester, and declared my major this January. Aside from this lackluster semester, I have been happy with my choice.
People.... my family... well, my family that knows that I am a religion major anyways, (ie- I haven't told my grandparents what my major actually is, because it would turn into a very drastic, UGLY conversation, as my theology VASTLY differs from my grandpas), can't seem to understand why I am a religion major....because I am not strictly religious.
I don't adhere to one path, and I don't think that there is any one truth- but many versions of the truth. That being said I do have faith- and I pull the aspects of that from many different paths/religions. In a quest to figure it all out- by being a religion major, I will learn more and engage a subject that is meaningful... something that is not empty and that is about something MORE.. Vastly more important than saving a reputation, and making tons of money, because that's not what counts. At all.
3
My calling- the word calling is a little tricky, as it can easily lead to the question Called by whom? and, my answer isn't god, but... a feeling that there is something I am supposed to do. Some work I am supposed to be doing... and, I think that work is interfaith work. Bringing understanding to people of different faiths so this world can be a little more peaceful.
Tikkun Olam- repair the world.
That is my calling.
My goal.
And however I do that- Peace Corps, Interfaith ministry, etc is what I need to be doing
There are a few things I want to write about religion...
1. Addressing the "issues" people in my life have with religion
2. Why I am a religion major
3. What I want to do with it/my life- ie: my calling
1
It might seem silly, but sometimes I take for granted what I have learned in college. And how I have changed. How my mind has been opened a little more, and how my opinions and feelings towards religion have changed. Because they have. I guess it is silly of me, naive even, of me to assume that this has happened for the other people in my life. The people are negative towards anything religious in nature.
I wish they could see the beauty. The meaning.
I wish they would not be so hypocritical- Do not go around pretending to be some open minded, liberal person and then turn around an attack an entire community. Do not do this because your assumptions are based on a limited knowledge ( Mine is too ) and, to get to the point, the fundamental/evangelical Christianity isn't the only kind out there...Also, do not insult people who do believe in that kind of Christianity, or in religion at large, don't you dare insult their intelligence to me... Because you aren't only insulting them, you are insulting me as well.
Being a believer does not make you dumb. It does not negate your intelligence. Liberal, conservative...and anywhere in the middle. Some of the most intelligent people I know are believers. My friends are believers and chances are, you know people who are religious and smart as well. So do not....do not even go there, let alone jump down my throat, about this. It is ignorance. And it might seem contradictory for me to talk about tolerance, and seem intolerant at the same turn- but ignorance is hard for me to tolerate, and as far as I am concerned it should me. My ignorance and the ignorance of others.
That being said- being an atheist doesn't make you intelligent either. No matter which way you believe, it is not a marker of intelligence. So, do not make those assumptions. Well, you can make them, but just don't voice them to me.
If your natural reaction is to bash anyone Christian, or bash religion in general, I suggest you work on that.... Immediately. Not only will it be good for your inner workings, but somewhere down the line, if not already, you are going to have to make nice with someone you don't agree with- and trust me, even if you don't voice this immediate reaction, it plays out in your body language and face.
Considering all of that- I am working on my own negative feelings towards certain aspects of religion. Growing up a very Christian person, I am trying to get past my own personal problems, and the things that have made me mad, caused me anguish and pain so that I can see things through a new lens.
2
Well, simply, religion is what I am interested in. Having tried on 3 other majors in 2 years, religion feels the best. Broadcasting was a weak idea to begin with, and while PR is nice, I need something more. I can't seem to find any reason to remain a part of the English department as most of my interactions with them have left a very very bad taste in my mouth. Though, I am not just a religion major by default either.
When I got involved in Scope, and the department, I felt at home. Things just clicked. I picked up a minor my 2nd semester, and declared my major this January. Aside from this lackluster semester, I have been happy with my choice.
People.... my family... well, my family that knows that I am a religion major anyways, (ie- I haven't told my grandparents what my major actually is, because it would turn into a very drastic, UGLY conversation, as my theology VASTLY differs from my grandpas), can't seem to understand why I am a religion major....because I am not strictly religious.
I don't adhere to one path, and I don't think that there is any one truth- but many versions of the truth. That being said I do have faith- and I pull the aspects of that from many different paths/religions. In a quest to figure it all out- by being a religion major, I will learn more and engage a subject that is meaningful... something that is not empty and that is about something MORE.. Vastly more important than saving a reputation, and making tons of money, because that's not what counts. At all.
3
My calling- the word calling is a little tricky, as it can easily lead to the question Called by whom? and, my answer isn't god, but... a feeling that there is something I am supposed to do. Some work I am supposed to be doing... and, I think that work is interfaith work. Bringing understanding to people of different faiths so this world can be a little more peaceful.
Tikkun Olam- repair the world.
That is my calling.
My goal.
And however I do that- Peace Corps, Interfaith ministry, etc is what I need to be doing
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