Re: OT religion and me - not really OT but about SMA & religion

[Guest guest]

Hooray for some balance --- and social justice. , you dragged

me in. I was keeping my mouth shut because many people are so

bothered when I don't believe the same as they do, though, thank you

to those religious friends of mine on this list who respect my

different beliefs...you know who you are. It's been hard for me to

read all the religious rationalizations for disability and

suffering. I was force fed all this stuff growing up. I'm glad

religion works for so many. I know finding faith has saved many

lives, and I would never discourage someone from practicing what they

believe. A god was just never what I personally needed to have faith

in. Too bad most modern evangelicals don't have the same commitment

to social justice work as they did a century ago. It would end a lot

of suffering among people with disabilities. I liked what Nick

wrote. I really like evangelical theologian Jim Wallis' new book on

religion and politics...God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong

and the Left Doesn't Get It. He can also be heard on the internet:

http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R502251000

Alana

>

> >

> > well i felt a strong need to balance all this god stuff

> >

> > i like the karl marx line " religion is the opium of the masses "

> >

> > though in modern times it is given a close run

by " television/shopping

> > being the opium of the masses "

> >

> > having said that i will be watching a tv program by a philosopher

i

> > respect called 'religion: the root of all evil "

> >

> > my experience of sma is not helped or hindered by god. my quality

of

> > life with sma is far more affected by politics and the push for

> > adequate funding for pa services, access and general human

rights. i

> > have 24 hour support from PA's i choose and control and so can

> > generally do what i want when i want, have people i trust to

support

> > me through any pain or health crisis, and find meaning in all

sort of

> > things.

> >

> > a(wo)men

> > linda

> >

>

[Guest guest]

For the record, I can completely agree with what Nick wrote and

completely believe in Christ..

Being force fed religious jargon but no answers can make it hard to

accept the concept of a loving God.

But He IS loving..... : )

Just as He doesn't force us to accept Him, allows us to hold opinion

we want, we allow each other differing opinions. That is great!

Isn't it?

[Guest guest]

hard to reply to your question about it being great that god allows you

to accept him or not or to have different opinions from others. it

sounds like it's great for you, but it's a question framed in the

assumption that i agree that there IS a god.

i can say that it is great for me that i allow myself to be content

that i probably don't have a god, that i'm content not to know either

way, and that i can allow or disallow my own beliefs or opinions.

>

> For the record, I can completely agree with what Nick wrote and

> completely believe in Christ..

> Being force fed religious jargon but no answers can make it hard to

> accept the concept of a loving God.

> But He IS loving..... : )

>

> Just as He doesn't force us to accept Him, allows us to hold opinion

> we want, we allow each other differing opinions. That is great!

>

> Isn't it?

>

[Guest guest]

I've been enjoyiny Jim Wallis' writings but haven't read this book you mentioned

just yet. I find most of the views of the Sojourners rather refreshing since

typically the far right are a bit extreme to me and do seem to forget about the

poor, etc. I just want to say that not all of we who are believers, christians,

bible-thumpers or whatever we are called are stuck in the same mode as the most

known are. That is to say some of us would like to see more social justice , etc

that appears to be only on the left. As someone previously stated there is a lot

wrong with both sides actually. But I don't think either side is completely

wrong or right.

Alana <alrt@...> wrote:

I really like evangelical theologian Jim Wallis' new book on

religion and politics...God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong

and the Left Doesn't Get It. He can also be heard on the internet:

http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R502251000

Alana

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Joy,

I agree. I am grateful to the many people of faith that I know who

embrace the social justice practices and goals that are so very

compatible with the teachings of many religions. It seems more and

more people of faith enter my life each year as we work together on

social issues and public policy. The left does really suck at

honoring and embracing people of faith, and the right is so

misrepresented by it's most extreme but vocal minority. Jim Wallis

talks about these 2 weaknesses so beautifully.

My first exposure to faith-driven social activism was in the 80's

working with Witness for Pease people engaged in monitoring and

accompanying peace activists in Central America. Then my former

deacon and his wife went to work in an orphanage in Nicaragua. I now

collaborate with Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Siekhs, Hindus and

Muslims on a lot of environmental, criminal justice, election access,

and disability issues. We don't always agree on the finer details,

but it's wonderful to join together working to lessen poverty...one

of the biggest causes of disability and disability-linked struggles.

Thanks for being a friend, girl!

Alana

> I really like evangelical theologian Jim Wallis' new book on

> religion and politics...God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong

> and the Left Doesn't Get It. He can also be heard on the internet:

> http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R502251000

>

> Alana

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

>

>