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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Questionmark on May 8, 2003, at 3:27:36
Barbara Cat,
Your post to Freedom2001 in PsychoBabble (a reply to "TO ALL OCD SUFFERERS") was extremely insightful and interesting. One of the all-around best posts on faith that i've read. i think there might be a great deal of wisdom in it. i just wanted to let you know.
i'm pasting it below." Dear Freedom,
I have some feedback to your thoughtful and very helpful post that I dearly hope you will consider - it's offered in love. I am very devoted to my spiritual practice, it's been the one constant ground of Being in my life. I honor and abolutely love Jesus as the most influencial teacher I could ever hope to know. I mean WOW, what a guy! I am grateful beyond words that I've discovered the necessity of nurturing my soul first and foremost. However, I cringed when I got to your section on Spirituality.I was raised a Christian, was deeply involved in many levels of Bible study and yet have since embraced a more inclusive belief system that honors all cultures and all the prophets and teachers whom I deeply know to be speaking from their truth. The main issue I have with Christianity is it's exclusivity and devaluing of other teachings. Most disturbing is the denigration of peoples who do not resonate with this particular interpretation of That which cannot be interpreted. Because of this, many have been harmed throughout time in the name of Christ - think the Crusades for example. Christianity is by no means the only perpetrator of such inhumanity, but all such warped actions are products of fear and not dictums of grace. Jesus most certainly did not want this division, He embraced all in the spirit of compassion and Love. I truly believe that "There is no Way to the Father but by me." has been badly misinterpreted. The Bible's true message unfortunately has suffered much due to opportunistic translation and interpretation in the cause of the political regimes. Read up on the Council of Nicea in the 4th Century if you dare. The Gnostic and Nag Hammadi scrolls refer to an unadulterated message far removed from the My Way or the Highway school of thought.
I am not criticizing your Christian faith and in fact bless you for having a strong faith in these troubled times. However, if you want your valuable message to reach all those who could be greatly helped by it, you might reconsider presenting it in a manner that will be gently heard by all. Unfortunately, alot of hackles are raised when there's any hint of fundamentalism of any sort. Think of someone who presented such pearls of wisdom and then capped it off with some reference whereby your hackles were jumping out of their sockets. Spirit is Spirit and does not need a frame of reference that must be espoused in order to radiate The Loving Light.
Blessings,
BarbaraCat "
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 8, 2003, at 11:32:17
In reply to Barbara Cat's post., posted by Questionmark on May 8, 2003, at 3:27:36
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2003, at 1:13:38
In reply to Barbara Cat's post., posted by Questionmark on May 8, 2003, at 3:27:36
> > The main issue I have with Christianity is it's exclusivity and devaluing of other teachings...
I'm sorry if it's confusing, but I'd like discussion here to be supportive of religious faith. And discussion that isn't, but still is civil, to take place at Psycho-Social-Babble. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 9, 2003, at 10:30:19
In reply to Redirect: Barbara Cat's post., posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2003, at 1:13:38
> > > The main issue I have with Christianity is it's exclusivity and devaluing of other teachings...
>
> I'm sorry if it's confusing, but I'd like discussion here to be supportive of religious faith. And discussion that isn't, but still is civil, to take place at Psycho-Social-Babble. Thanks,
>
> BobI have no intention of uncivility, but I am a bit confused. Must one be affiliated with a specific church to have faith in a higher order? Surely a discussion can include differing views as long as the issue of faith is honored and the diversity of views respected, listened to, and perhaps even provide food for thought for all involved. I'm absolutely supportive of faith, but am leary of dogma and exclusivity in any form. It was not a put-down, only an opinion.
I don't criticise your wanting to redirect, but wonder about your reasons for doing so. Perhaps you yourself are sensitive about someone else's differing views on Christianity? Psycho-Social seems to be a curious place to redirect a discussion that was clearly about faith. - Barbara
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2003, at 22:46:10
In reply to Re: Redirect: Barbara Cat's post.?? » Dr. Bob, posted by Barbara Cat on May 9, 2003, at 10:30:19
> Must one be affiliated with a specific church to have faith in a higher order?
No.
> Surely a discussion can include differing views as long as the issue of faith is honored and the diversity of views respected, listened to, and perhaps even provide food for thought for all involved.
If honoring the issue of faith means supporting faith, yes.
> I'm absolutely supportive of faith, but am leary of dogma and exclusivity in any form. It was not a put-down, only an opinion.
Saying you're leery of something isn't being very supportive of it. And opinions can be put-downs, too.
> I don't criticise your wanting to redirect, but wonder about your reasons for doing so. Perhaps you yourself are sensitive about someone else's differing views on Christianity?
Or perhaps my reason is what I said it was?
Bob
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 10, 2003, at 0:50:22
In reply to Re: Redirect: Barbara Cat's post.??, posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2003, at 22:46:10
I see your point. Discussions about religion (and politics) can get very heated and that's not the intention of Psycho-Faith. Many roads lead up the mountain and any hint of slander to anyone's beliefs (I see how my comments could be seen that way) is not in the spirit of faith-based support. So, with respect to my Catholic upbringing - "Mea culpa". Barbara
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 11, 2003, at 10:14:20
In reply to OK, got it » Dr. Bob, posted by Barbara Cat on May 10, 2003, at 0:50:22
This is the end of the thread.
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