Forgiveness
This isn't necessarily about my grief...but it's something I want to discuss and I don't want to get on a facebook fight...sigh...
I don't identify as a Christian, simply because the majority of people that do seem nothing like Jesus Christ to me. To me, Jesus taught love and compassion, forgiveness. We all interpret scripture different ways. To me, the Bible is full of metaphors...stories that might not be literal but stories with a lesson that needed to be conferred to more simple minded people...sorry if that sounds arrogant, don't mean for it to, but thousands of years ago I feel that the average person was not as intelligent as an average person today. To me, when Jesus said His way was the only way, what He meant was that we should try to live our lives the way He lived His...and in my soul searching after losing Cassi I have come to believe that Love is the be all, end all an I we truly loved each other as we love ourselves everything else would fall into place. I don't believe Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or any other religion, or a non religious person will end up in hell. In fact I don't even believe in hell. I believe we create our own hell, here on earth. But that's not even what I wanted to write about.
It's the Paris thing...I am confused about how I feel. It seems like when things like this happen we want revenge. It's so sad, the terrorists did such horrible things...I guess we can't ignore it, but didn't Jesus tell us to turn the other cheek???? I think of major leaders of major religions and they all taught compassion, love, forgiveness...Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jesus...if you study their texts you will find a golden thread of truth running through all of them, and that is love. Just love.
I'm just confused...I don't want hundreds or thousands of innocent Muslims slayed, nor anyone else. Can we love our enemies???
I don't identify as a Christian, simply because the majority of people that do seem nothing like Jesus Christ to me. To me, Jesus taught love and compassion, forgiveness. We all interpret scripture different ways. To me, the Bible is full of metaphors...stories that might not be literal but stories with a lesson that needed to be conferred to more simple minded people...sorry if that sounds arrogant, don't mean for it to, but thousands of years ago I feel that the average person was not as intelligent as an average person today. To me, when Jesus said His way was the only way, what He meant was that we should try to live our lives the way He lived His...and in my soul searching after losing Cassi I have come to believe that Love is the be all, end all an I we truly loved each other as we love ourselves everything else would fall into place. I don't believe Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or any other religion, or a non religious person will end up in hell. In fact I don't even believe in hell. I believe we create our own hell, here on earth. But that's not even what I wanted to write about.
It's the Paris thing...I am confused about how I feel. It seems like when things like this happen we want revenge. It's so sad, the terrorists did such horrible things...I guess we can't ignore it, but didn't Jesus tell us to turn the other cheek???? I think of major leaders of major religions and they all taught compassion, love, forgiveness...Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jesus...if you study their texts you will find a golden thread of truth running through all of them, and that is love. Just love.
I'm just confused...I don't want hundreds or thousands of innocent Muslims slayed, nor anyone else. Can we love our enemies???
Replies
we just discussed this in Adult Sunday School at my church....and yes that is what the Bible says to live as Christ did and he died for our sins and that God forgives everyone even the terrorist....But what do we do the OLD testament says an eye for an eye....but it is 2015???? I wish I new the answer .....great question,
I too am going out on a limb here as I don\'t identify myself with any organized religion and am not looking for anyone to attempt to convince me that their religious beliefs are the \"right ones\". I am jumping in here to personally respond to your very well written journal.
There is a poster going around facebook about how blaming Muslims for ISIS is like blaming Christians for the KKK. That\'s about where I stand. We should not and cannot blanket one whole organization for the actions of a few. Way too many horrible mistakes have been made in history when this is done.
Right now, the wounds of Friday in Paris are so raw, so fresh it is natural for people to panic, to want vengeance, justice, blood. Innocent lives were violently taken, and for what gain?
Personally speaking now, I feel that more lives have been lost, more wars have been waged in the name of religion and if we translate that, we arrive at the one magic word - power.
Gina, can we love our enemies? Absolutely however, even your simple yet powerful words are an oxymoron. To love there is no need to feel threatened - enemy.
We here in Canada, from what I\'ve heard so far are going ahead with welcoming some 25,000 Syrian refugees by the New Year. There will be strict assessment of their history, associations etc and we will go ahead. Trusting that they are as we are, human beings trying to be good people and fleeing a war that no one, ever is going to \"win\".
Sadly, I, for the first time in my 54 years, have a feeling that the threat that ISIS presents is different. Even than Bin Laden. I feel that this time we, collectively are going to have to actively get involved or the world as a whole will suffer.
And as this is going on, you and I will do our best to create an environment that is safe, loving, kind, generous and compassionate for our fellow human being. Regardless of color, religion, sexual orientation, etc., etc.
Love you lady,
Merrilee
I just don\'t believe that any of us are born inherently evil and that we each carry a spark of the Divine because that is the Source from which we have come. Forgiveness is what is taught and to fully embrace it becomes a conscious decision each and every moment, doesn\'t it... In the midst of these atrocities it comes full stage and center.
I keep asking for an open heart and mind. I do not begin to have any of the answers and I know I\'ve said that the older I become the less I truly know. What a humbling reality it is.
Prayers for healing for our world, for us and ALL Spirit\'s creatures great and small. May we see the spark of the Divine that is contained within.
I\'m pondering with you dearest Gina.
XO Joanie
Gina, Your journal brings up a lot of questions and concerns. In my opinion, i think we always have to forgive not for them but for us. It doesn\'t mean that we agree with their actions and it doesn\'t mean that there will not be consequences. Love takes many forms and we all make mistakes but compassion and empathy for me has to be in my heart so I can live with myself. Martin Luther King Jr taught these principles well I think. Blessings, Deanie
When someone says they want to kill you, believe them. It is only just that you defend your life and those whom you love. These young men are brain washed by a religion that worships death. They kill anyone who disagrees with them, even other Muslims. Women are treated as slaves, as it is written in their religious tracts. These people are dangerous in thought and deed and have no place in our democracies.
I do NOT condone killing on either side but this is escalating and hate crime against Muslims seems emanate. Again not condoning just commenting on the train that is starting to go off the rails. If non-radical Muslims (I consider ISIS and suicide bombers radicals) would start turning in these radical factions to the authorities around the world, this would start to defuse tension. It would also prove not all Muslims approve of these bombings. Then people would see a division between these radicals and other Muslims.
Peace begets peace and if good Muslims would start turning in the radicals to make the public safer this would create good-will. If you have good will you don\'t have hate crimes.
We may know more or perhaps be more intellegent but I believe human nature is the same as it was in the days of Christ. Social morals and laws may change from generation to generation, but killing, lust, theft and other atrocities still remain with us today. I think the most great religious leaders all exemplify love and are examples of how we should try to be. Parables I think were easier to relate to when Christ taught them, as their society reflected in those days. I believe it takes a great deal of study to understand them in our present days.
I do identify as a Christian. To me, that means that I need to put my money where my mouth is. I have to emulate Him in all I do. That includes not being vengeful or vindictive, not judging people that believe differently than I do. Turning the other cheek.
As a faith, We have committed atrocities in the name of Christ, just as other religions have done. I do not believe Christ encouraged that. I live by an easy code...I ask myself, \"Would you do this if Jesus were here beside you?\" If not, I try hard not to do it. I fail miserably some days, but love matters. Kindness matters.
I heard this a very long time ago and it always stuck with me. Although I have been raised in the Catholic Church and I know I will be buried by the church in a Catholic Cemetery next to Matthew...I do have strong feelings about the Following: \"Jesus was once asked when the kingdom of God would come. The kingdom of God, Jesus replied, is not something people will be able to see and point to. Then came these striking words: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21) With these words, Jesus gave voice to a teaching that is universal and timeless.
Look into every great religious, spiritual, and wisdom tradition, and we find the same precept that lifes ultimate truth, its ultimate treasure, lies within us.
As Jesus made unambiguously clear, we can experience this inner treasure and no experience could be more valuable. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, he declared, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). From this interior plane of life, he is saying, we will gain all that is needful.
Aristotle
This inner treasure of life has had many names. Plato refers to it as the Good and the Beautiful, Aristotle as Being, Plotinus as the Infinite, St. Bernard of Clairvaux as the Word, Ralph Waldo Emerson as the Oversoul. In Taoism it is called the Tao, in Judaism Ein Sof. Among Australian aborigines it is called the dreamtime, among tribes of southern Africa Hunhu/Ubuntu. The names may differ, but the inner reality they point to is one and the same.
In every case, its understood that this inner, transcendental reality can be directly experienced. This experience has likewise been given different names. In India traditions it is called Yoga, in Buddhism Nirvana, in Islam fana, in Christianity spiritual marriage. It is a universal teaching based on a universal reality and a universal experience.\"
Gina, that was a great journal. And great answers, too - for the most part! I have no answers but here in Indiana our governor is refusing entry to Syrian refugees - when we turn our back on people who are suffering, who are dying, who have watched their families die, then we have lost and ISIL has won. Especially since we caused a lot of this tragedy to begin with. Love has to be the way forward, doesn\'t it? I hope it is. Joanna x