Big kudos to people of moderate faith everywhere. There are moderate believers working everywhere to make life better for all kinds of people. These people are amazing, and as a non-believer, I wanted to give out a hallelujah for them. My question really is whether moderation - as shown by the flower of helpfulness to other human beings - is an evolved form of religion, compared to religion that sticks rigidly to an extreme reading of its texts, which appears to only ever make the news in a fairly negative way.
All thoughts welcome.
2006-11-05 02:33:49 · 13 answers · asked by mdfalco71 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of course. The hope for peace is in each of us, and the means to make it manifest lie within us as well.
As we respect the holy places of others, so will our own holy sites be respected.
As we honor the presence of Spirit in the religious practices of others, so will the Spirit in our own practices be honored.
Given that many of us cannot see people from another country as fully human, it is perhaps irrational to hope that we can look at others whose religious practices are foreign, and see not sinners but fellow pilgrims...but that is what I strive to do.
Recently I had noticed something within myself that I didn't want - I saw myself beginning to judge all Christians by the most intolerant, rigid, hate-preaching among those who call themselves "Christian". I asked the Lord and Lady to help me...to make me aware of my own prejudices, to shine a light on any hidden forms of bigotry or hatred that I may be harboring.
And I found myself cleansed and renewed. And I rededicated myself to speaking peace and acceptance.
I recommend something similar to anyone of any religion or spiritual practice who seeks to re-energize their own spritual life.
A heart full of thankfulness, a soul full of love...these leave no room for pettiness, envy, spite, or hatred.
The man who says "There is no right way to live" is a fool. But there is another kind of fool, a more dangerous kind, that says to himself and proclaims to all the world "There is no right way but mine".
Bright Blessings to all.
2006-11-05 03:02:47 · answer #1 · answered by Praise Singer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, only a radical love (similar to the one of Jesus) can cure hatred. A love that reaches out to others, even strangers, marganilzed, and oppressed folks, and offers healing. A love that avoids attacking individulats but that sometimes makes note when the temple is being taken over by moneychangers. Ithink that the moderates (of which I am one) are working on this -- but it is not an 'anything goes' kind of moderation, it is a moderation that says and recognizes that all of faith has changed over time, and that we too, are part of a changing world.
2006-11-05 02:43:06 · answer #2 · answered by Terri 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Racial hatred and faith the two make a contribution to the downfall of society as all of us realize it. the two have destroyed a lot of persons in historic past. The try for peace is the making use of tension which holds society at the same time. No, we will not in any respect gain entire peace, that must be utopia. yet to push forward for racial and non secular freedom is a flow interior the spectacular direction. i think of there are sufficient "sturdy" human beings to continually shop a society from entire destruction.
2016-10-15 09:55:56 · answer #3 · answered by crichton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, if by moderation you mean compromising what you believe in order not to offend others then no, I disagree. I think the answer to religious hatred is to respond with love. It is difficult to continue to hate if the object of your hatred only ever shows a face of love to you in response.
I am a christian, and one of the main foundations of christianity is for us to love one another. Not always easy! I know there are always examples of every religion that manage to offend others and put them off. That will always be the case because we are only human and make mistakes. It is sad when the behaviour of some individuals is seen to be representative of 'the church', though, or of God. Christianity is love, whatever some of the more negative interpretations of it proclaim. What other religion demands its followers to love everyone else in the face of hatred and persecution? Answer = none.
2006-11-05 03:19:10 · answer #4 · answered by drblonde 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry, Falco, I have to disagree. I say there's no such thing as a "better" form of insanity.
To the extent that moderate / lukewarm / habitual believers do succeed in making the world a better place, I will join you in saluting them -- for their work, not for their beliefs.
2006-11-05 03:25:13 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, if we can accept others who have different religious viewpoints, then there is hope for humankind. Is it an evolved form of religion? Yes I believe so; if it ends thousands of years of persecution, hatred and killing.
2006-11-05 02:40:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree--moderation is needed or we'll be stoning everybody who doesn't wash their clothes on the rocks by the riverbed
2006-11-05 04:04:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hating others "moderately" is not a solution.....you need to get rid of the hatred completely...
2006-11-05 03:02:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it is not. The more moderation shown, the more demands will be requested until we have another 9/11, or 7/7 scenario. Fight fire with fire.
2006-11-05 02:37:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
maybe but mutual respect is not a bad thing either
contrary to popular opinion assertiveness is a two-way street
in other words treat others as you would have them treat you
2006-11-05 02:37:03 · answer #10 · answered by mesun1408 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋