(no subject)
This post will totally not be read by those of you with 2 to 3 second attention spans. Which is a whole other subject matter in it's own.
On today's tour de internet-bookmarks, I particularly enjoyed reading from Andrew Sullivan's blog. He is actually an old school Republican which some progressive views on politics. He is a daily read for me, which unfortunately I don't always read the all his posts because I often have a 2 to 3 second attention span. But today I found three particular points that I enjoyed: THEY LIED; ANOTHER CHRISTIANITY; and THE CLOSING OF THE CONSERVATIVE MIND.
Starting with Another Christianity. There is a quote that I care enough to mention that brings to light the true nature of being religious:
"We have to be persons who are there for giving life to others... We are not interested in punishing others. We are not interested in condemning or criticizing others. We may use harsh words to point out something they are doing wrong, and that may not be easy for them to receive. But it's our disposition toward them that is so crucial. If judgment toward our brothers and sisters is condemnation, hatred, loathing or disgust - that isn't Spirit. That is something else. That is the opposite of what Christ came to do. When he said, "You will free people when you are there for giving life," that is the mightiest work of God. God's mighty act is to love every single human being exactly as they are, in this moment, with the hope and the desire that they move in the direction of the truth.
Wanting people to move in the direction of the truth - and taking them for who and where they are - is such a different disposition than condemning and criticizing. It is so different from excluding people. What is so frightening about 'toxic' religion is that it becomes exclusive: 'Get rid of those people who aren't like us.'"
The true nature of being religious, IMHO, is being spiritual. It is the root, the core of not your faith, but all faiths. This is what I feel when I read quotes, or homilies as Mr. Sullivan put it.
I definitely would say that I am not a religious person, I do not believe, so much that I would say that I am not even agnostic. That is not to say that there isn't something out there, a greater truth. Saying someone is religious is putting a definition on the true and pure way that people should feel and be towards themselves, and eachother.
From what I have heard about Jesus he was this way at his core, but that does mean I am going to jump up and be a Christian, as a matter of fact, at his core he wasn't stressing being a Christian. His main message was to be good to eachother and look after those that are less fortunate. Which is the true message of all religions, the true spirit of all religions, the golden rule.
Alright, enough of this being philosophical.
Is it just me or is Das Kapital a picture of what has really happened in today society?