About that term, "faith" -- Notes from Zarahemla Political Forum

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Date Posted: 23:15:01 06/05/05 Sun
Author: Debbie
Subject: About that term, "faith"
In reply to: Leif Erlingsson, heretic� 's message, "It could be lack of faith..." on 05:06:05 06/03/05 Fri

We may agree, Leif, that faith need not be confined to my own or another's spiritual/religious beliefs. It can have a more broad meaning, like this one from James Fowler's book, Stages of Faith:

"Faith, it appears, is generic, a universal feature of human living, recognisably similar everywhere despite the remarkable variety of forms and contents of religious practice and belief. Faith is an orientation of the total person, giving purpose and goal to one's hopes and strivings, thoughts and actions."
(Bold emphasis my own.)

You'll receive no argument from me that atheists, agnostics have faith in reason (as do believers), and in correct and respectful community ideals; they are living equally well with strong values the religious may wonder impossible of the irreligious...

To the question of noticing a need for change:

Is it possible that our own (individuals, families, communities...) perceptions of the need for change differs from others, and that's okay? Or is it possible that much more need fall apart for a good wake-up call to society?

Going a step further, what if we question whether we're busy fighting for our cultures and tribes and can't yet quite agree upon the most important goal in the fight, i.e., respectful unity! In that instance, per chance that's humanity acting like humans, fighting for what's personally important in the moment. And would that mean the passive religionists awaiting the Second Coming are not doing their part? If so, what of disrespecting the choice for passivity?

This may or may not help you see that I'm okay with questions, and with questioning (wink). But personally speaking, I've noticed numbers of individuals gaining a voice. And I can't tell you, Leif, whether there's a change in the wind or if it's that I'm learning to focus and become more aware, to become a mouse roaring...because it's fun to be different.

Appreciating your thoughts and questions, the opportunity to dialogue,

Deb

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Standards and belief-sets/mind-sets that cause Evil must be openly discussed -- Leif Erlingsson, heretic�, 07:54:37 06/15/05 Wed