Forums for November
November 7--Crusades and Temple. On Nicholas Kristof’s recent family trip to Israel, one of the topics they were debating was whether the loss of the Crusades was ultimately a good thing for Christianity and the loss of the Second Temple ultimately a good thing for Judaism. What do you think?
November 14--Definition of Religion. Kile Jones, at religioustolerance.org, defines religion in two ways. As a theological definition it appears that religion has to do with the beliefs of individuals that there is some meaning and purpose for their lives. This meaning and purpose may be found from outside of themselves (Theism and Polytheism) or from within themselves (Atheism and Buddhism). Similarly, this meaning and purpose can be discovered spiritually, intellectually, and/or morally and is that worldview by which people gather and interpret phenomena, make judgments, and live ethically. As a behavioral definition it seems that religion has to do with the actions, patterns, and practices that are done as a result of individual’s beliefs about what is most crucial in life. This could be actions done for Jesus Christ, Allah, Buddha, Zarathustra, or for the self. Yet these action are more than normal, they are religious. They are done frequently with distinguishable characteristics from and for a set of beliefs. What do you think of his definition?
November 21--Imperfect enlightenment. In “Broken Buddha,” Meg Barnhouse describes the comfort she finds in an image of a Buddha with a broken hand. “The enlightened one as imperfect, cracked, and chipped—maybe that is how my enlightenment feels.” She writes, “Sometimes I feel like I understand so much, that I can be a lot of help to people. Other times my mind is blank and there is nothing in my mind or heart to say but ‘I’m so sorry.’ When have you been able to help someone in spite of your own inadequacies and uncertainties? When you think of enlightenment or spiritual maturity, do you call to mind images of perfection?
November 28--Bill of Rights. We recently decided in the Forum that the Bill of Rights ought to be balanced with a Bill of Responsibilities. In your opinion, what should be in the Bill of Responsibilities? Does your UU understanding of the world contribute to your opinion?
November 14--Definition of Religion. Kile Jones, at religioustolerance.org, defines religion in two ways. As a theological definition it appears that religion has to do with the beliefs of individuals that there is some meaning and purpose for their lives. This meaning and purpose may be found from outside of themselves (Theism and Polytheism) or from within themselves (Atheism and Buddhism). Similarly, this meaning and purpose can be discovered spiritually, intellectually, and/or morally and is that worldview by which people gather and interpret phenomena, make judgments, and live ethically. As a behavioral definition it seems that religion has to do with the actions, patterns, and practices that are done as a result of individual’s beliefs about what is most crucial in life. This could be actions done for Jesus Christ, Allah, Buddha, Zarathustra, or for the self. Yet these action are more than normal, they are religious. They are done frequently with distinguishable characteristics from and for a set of beliefs. What do you think of his definition?
November 21--Imperfect enlightenment. In “Broken Buddha,” Meg Barnhouse describes the comfort she finds in an image of a Buddha with a broken hand. “The enlightened one as imperfect, cracked, and chipped—maybe that is how my enlightenment feels.” She writes, “Sometimes I feel like I understand so much, that I can be a lot of help to people. Other times my mind is blank and there is nothing in my mind or heart to say but ‘I’m so sorry.’ When have you been able to help someone in spite of your own inadequacies and uncertainties? When you think of enlightenment or spiritual maturity, do you call to mind images of perfection?
November 28--Bill of Rights. We recently decided in the Forum that the Bill of Rights ought to be balanced with a Bill of Responsibilities. In your opinion, what should be in the Bill of Responsibilities? Does your UU understanding of the world contribute to your opinion?
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