What is upsetting me about all the talk on modesty over the internets, blogosphere, etc is that it makes it seem like it is a SHAME for a woman to have breasts, legs, and curves. The over-talk about the very issue of modesty actually SEXUALIZES it. When people need to tell or teach women incessantly about their fashion of dress, this can make the women feel guilt simply because she is created physically like a woman. The other extreme is dressing overtly sensual (deliberate, with willful intent...and who decides that??!!!?). BOTH HARM PEOPLE. Equally. When I was ready, God figured it out for me. When I over- scrutinize my dress, I am shaming myself. I am not trusting God to give me sound mind that can dress myself. We sometimes, in my opinion only, take the 'older women should teach the younger' and 'speak the truth in love' way overboard, to the point that it becomes all we want to do anymore! And the worst part of it is we mask it as LOVING EACH OTHER, and OBEYING TRUTH, and SERVING GOD and NOT MAN, when much can be said for BEING CONTROLLING AND AFRAID AND PRIDEFUL as the real hidden motivations behind this. I know this to be true, because many have been saved from that (like ME) and now speak out about it. Sometimdes, I am chastised for having gone too far the other extreme. But I would rather a person move becaaue God said MOVE, and that they can retain their dignity by following God, and trusting Him to do that for them, and not man's prideful words. For that person, becomes an "owned" faith then...when God is *the* only motivation. Sometimes, less is more; I have found out the less I try and figure out, and the less I try to read in things, the clearer it becomes for me. Now for me, *THAT is grace.
Oh, one more thing that came to me. When I was ayounger Christian (22ish), I used to judge women who dressed a certain way (maybe because I dressed that way in my rebel years??). I used to think THEY were the one with the 'problem.' One day I woke up, my whole foundation crashing, and realized: IT WAS I WHO HAD THE PROBLEM. Isnt it more accurate to say when we are truly that roused, worked up and ashamed of women's dress to say, *we* are the ones with the problem? God never asked me to be his 'modesty instructor', and he didnt ever tell me He could not take care of the issue by himself. Interestingly, in Britain's church setting, modesty means showy in a prideful or bragging way. Flamboyant; drawing attention to oneself. Some of them think we are screwy with the way we make such a big deal out of clothing, or not. Women get way less plastic surgery over there, and men and women arent as obsessed with LARGE breasts as they are here. I am not deeming Bristish christian culture on the mark, I am merely saying that perhaps American Christianity has it messed up as much as any other society.
Thanks for listening; God Bless.
August 1, 2009 10:44 AM
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Who Says? Says who?
It is a shame that sometimes life gets busy, because I have had numerous, ample cerebral musings where I have typed out blog posts in my mind, yet they never reached the ink-meets-blog-paper stage. Perhaps one day those reflections will ressucitate themselves, and you will find yourselves privy to my insane battle with theology, doctrine, and life as it *IS*.
To continue, I've though much about my counselor lately, and my counseling experience as a whole. It is bad enough that my counselor would fall perhaps more under the guise of secular counseling. It is damning to all hell, maybe, in the eyes of some Christians that my counselor is male.
And, yes, he shuts the door when we counsel, so that others sitting in the waiting room can't hear all about my pathetic life. (Kidding.....KIDDING...on the 'pathetic life' part;).
This is not even my first MALE counselor, it is my second. Having had a small plethora (is that such a thing? It sounds cool, anyway) of counselors.....let me count.....ok, 6.....the last two do not advertise themselves as 'biblical' counselors, both males. I know both personally, so they do have relationships with God....and believe in the propitiation of Jesus. I also know they have used methods and ways that would make many Christians cringe, myself intially included.
I recall my counselor Wayne once saying to me that I did not trust anyone, and that I used God as my crutch, and to hide behind. He also waited ONE YEAR OF FREE COUNSELING for me to decide I could trust him. Wayne deserves a bronzed star on his head when he gets to Heaven. This man didn't even know me. He just thought he could help me.
Fast forward to Steve, therapist #6; qualified therapist #2. Steve and his partner Diane run a practice, and they have real certifications and stuff. They run on sliding scale fees and have no problemo offering me the $35-per-session- plan, out of the possibility of $75 (which if you know anything about counseling, even the $75 a FULL hour is really quite cheap in 2009!). I interview Diane, and at the end of my complimentary session, she tells me she feels quite confident that she can help me. I ask if she knows anything about the other counselor, Steve, and what specialties is he accredited with? We get to talking, Diane and I, and I also reveal to her, though I do not know if for certain it is even important....that my last counselor felt I had issues with males in my life, and that it may be good for me to counsel with a male. She offers me a complimentary counsel session with Steve. I think, "Boy, I am REALLY getting my money's worth here!". Later that week I meet Steve, and at the end of my session with him, I am convinced of one thing: "who cares who I get. They both seemed great." I rest and let it in Gods terrain.
I realize I am probably getting assigned Diane, esp since Steve took offense to my re-itterating of my last counselor's thoughts on me continuing with a male counselor. He scoffed at that advice, claiming, "Diane is a VERY gifted and capable counselor!" and that the first counselor did me quite a 'disservice' when he told me I needed a male. I kinda still get a kick outta that, I dont know why....hahaha...SOOOOO...Stevo it is. Steve calls to tell me I will be seeing him at 2pm next Thursday; apparently Diane is tidying up her last classes for her doctorate.
It is a year later, and I do feel that it has not harmed myself, or Steve, or anyone that I was paired up with a male counselor. The truth is, the blinds have been snapped up at yet again another faulty doctrine I was taught as a wee Christian babe: Thou Shalt Not Be Alone in Presence of Any Male Other Than Thy Father, Brother, or Husband.
You know, it is liberating to realize you truly may not really lust, have perverted thoughts, or cause men to rape you emotionally or physically. You may be needy and still not cross the line. You may have father issues, and long for the listening ear of a man, and still not act on it. You are human, normal, and even capable. Then when you realize this truth, you can tell your daughter that she isn't a woman given over to a sensual spirit just because she talks alone with another man. In other words, you can pass this truth onto your children.
Two consenting, responsible, and capable adults can handle being in each others presence, and not be overwhelmed with thinking, "something could happen! EEEEK!" I have found it even HEALING to have been allowed to speak with men as brothers, friends, etc. as it creates a path for me to receive validation and acceptance by a man, and learn that men CAN be trusted. I had many poor role models growing up, and to let myself receive grace
and be healed by the brothers I have, has come in forms of talking to them on the phone, on the school playground while waiting for my kids, hanging outside church yakking.
We are only told to run or flee when the person is grabbing for you (like the story of Joseph)....we dont need to run unecessarily just because we are alone with a man. I honestly think we give ourselves way too much power. I mean, by all means if we have a temptation-we need to deal with it-but it isnt healthy to create shame and forsake all members of the opposite sex because we were taught we will automatically be placing ourselves in a temptuous sitatuation...in my opinion, that is hyper-sexual thinking. Which is, coincidentally, the real and BIGGER issue.
To continue, I've though much about my counselor lately, and my counseling experience as a whole. It is bad enough that my counselor would fall perhaps more under the guise of secular counseling. It is damning to all hell, maybe, in the eyes of some Christians that my counselor is male.
And, yes, he shuts the door when we counsel, so that others sitting in the waiting room can't hear all about my pathetic life. (Kidding.....KIDDING...on the 'pathetic life' part;).
This is not even my first MALE counselor, it is my second. Having had a small plethora (is that such a thing? It sounds cool, anyway) of counselors.....let me count.....ok, 6.....the last two do not advertise themselves as 'biblical' counselors, both males. I know both personally, so they do have relationships with God....and believe in the propitiation of Jesus. I also know they have used methods and ways that would make many Christians cringe, myself intially included.
I recall my counselor Wayne once saying to me that I did not trust anyone, and that I used God as my crutch, and to hide behind. He also waited ONE YEAR OF FREE COUNSELING for me to decide I could trust him. Wayne deserves a bronzed star on his head when he gets to Heaven. This man didn't even know me. He just thought he could help me.
Fast forward to Steve, therapist #6; qualified therapist #2. Steve and his partner Diane run a practice, and they have real certifications and stuff. They run on sliding scale fees and have no problemo offering me the $35-per-session- plan, out of the possibility of $75 (which if you know anything about counseling, even the $75 a FULL hour is really quite cheap in 2009!). I interview Diane, and at the end of my complimentary session, she tells me she feels quite confident that she can help me. I ask if she knows anything about the other counselor, Steve, and what specialties is he accredited with? We get to talking, Diane and I, and I also reveal to her, though I do not know if for certain it is even important....that my last counselor felt I had issues with males in my life, and that it may be good for me to counsel with a male. She offers me a complimentary counsel session with Steve. I think, "Boy, I am REALLY getting my money's worth here!". Later that week I meet Steve, and at the end of my session with him, I am convinced of one thing: "who cares who I get. They both seemed great." I rest and let it in Gods terrain.
I realize I am probably getting assigned Diane, esp since Steve took offense to my re-itterating of my last counselor's thoughts on me continuing with a male counselor. He scoffed at that advice, claiming, "Diane is a VERY gifted and capable counselor!" and that the first counselor did me quite a 'disservice' when he told me I needed a male. I kinda still get a kick outta that, I dont know why....hahaha...SOOOOO...Stevo it is. Steve calls to tell me I will be seeing him at 2pm next Thursday; apparently Diane is tidying up her last classes for her doctorate.
It is a year later, and I do feel that it has not harmed myself, or Steve, or anyone that I was paired up with a male counselor. The truth is, the blinds have been snapped up at yet again another faulty doctrine I was taught as a wee Christian babe: Thou Shalt Not Be Alone in Presence of Any Male Other Than Thy Father, Brother, or Husband.
You know, it is liberating to realize you truly may not really lust, have perverted thoughts, or cause men to rape you emotionally or physically. You may be needy and still not cross the line. You may have father issues, and long for the listening ear of a man, and still not act on it. You are human, normal, and even capable. Then when you realize this truth, you can tell your daughter that she isn't a woman given over to a sensual spirit just because she talks alone with another man. In other words, you can pass this truth onto your children.
Two consenting, responsible, and capable adults can handle being in each others presence, and not be overwhelmed with thinking, "something could happen! EEEEK!" I have found it even HEALING to have been allowed to speak with men as brothers, friends, etc. as it creates a path for me to receive validation and acceptance by a man, and learn that men CAN be trusted. I had many poor role models growing up, and to let myself receive grace
and be healed by the brothers I have, has come in forms of talking to them on the phone, on the school playground while waiting for my kids, hanging outside church yakking.
We are only told to run or flee when the person is grabbing for you (like the story of Joseph)....we dont need to run unecessarily just because we are alone with a man. I honestly think we give ourselves way too much power. I mean, by all means if we have a temptation-we need to deal with it-but it isnt healthy to create shame and forsake all members of the opposite sex because we were taught we will automatically be placing ourselves in a temptuous sitatuation...in my opinion, that is hyper-sexual thinking. Which is, coincidentally, the real and BIGGER issue.
Monday, May 18, 2009
I Do Not Like Them, Sam-I-Am, I Do Not Like BlogLords and Ham.
Blog Lords. My new, not-so-nice terminology for people who blog about The Right Way. If you dont do things The Right Way, you are doing them The Wrong Way, by default. It doesnt matter if you are doing them mostly the right way....because if you are, surely you are deceived, blinded, in denial, or full of sin.... Blog Lords give lip service to being full of sin themselves, but they are just words through wires, cause if pushed to the point of breakdown, a Blog Lord will tell you the Finite Truth of the matter-and they know much about all matters. So you will never convince a Blog Lord of much else. Even if they do sin, Blog Lords know, without error or interpretation (Blog Lords dont need 'interpretation'; they understand things a more phonomenal matter than Mostoftherestofus, and Mostoftherestofus just "dont get it") the plain and simple truth of a wide variety of subjects. They know the final truth on everything, but its only because God Said So. So, a Blog Lord doenst even take responsibility for their own thoughts, desires, or inate state of beinghood, its all pointed back at God. Yes people, you can scapegoat God (I know; Ive done it...sometimes dont even think im finished yet!). The point is, Blog Lords understand the Truth in a way Mostoftherestofus simply cant. Mostoftherestofus have been fooled, tricked, and simply dont care enough as Blog Lords, because we have not done our homework. Blog Lords themselves provoke shame and guilt in Mostoftherestofus, but swear they dont, and that Mostoftherestofus just cant see straight. BlogLords feel sorry for us. We dont hold the same serious standards they do, nor do we ever think about such things, because Mostoftherestofus are too busy leisurely, without a care, swimming downsea. Mostoftherestofus may call ourselves conservatives, but really, according to Blog Lord Status, we would be more liberal. Someoftherestofus may copy practices that Blog Lords do...like homeschooling or no birth control, but it still isnt Blog Lordious in nature, because of well.....interpretation. Someoftherestofus dont homsechool with the same dignity, fervor, or motives that Blog Lords do. We just arent up to par with BlogLordia.
If Mostoftherestofus hang around BlogLord land too often, we may find ourselves restless, playing double conscience games, mentally exhausted, and given to shame. Mostoftherestofus may even begin to start questioning our Heritage. But the Blog Lords will assure this is ok, because first and foremost it is the Blog Lords responsibility, and an insuperable one at that-to speak the truth regardless I REPEAT regardless of what it means or does to Mostoftherestofus, becasue BlogLords are devout and completely devoted to God, and Mostoftherestofus sometimes get in the way. Unfortunately, many Blog Lords *ARE* really Mostoftherestofus, so they are doing this to themselves as well, though that wont be detected until Time Of Nervous Breakdown-when The Blog Lord realizes they are a Blog Lord and identifies with Being a Blog Lord and looks their Blog Lord Self in the eye for who they have become (NOT who they *are*). Shame, guilt, and even nauseousness can be felt often after surfing the Blog Lord Network-a conglomerate of Blog Lord owners who play connect-the-blogs with each other, building the power of BlogLordMania.
Blog Lords will criticize, kick you off their blog, delete or control posts of Mostoftherestofus, even though other chosen BlogLord suscribers are able to put down, resort to sarcasm, resort to laughing, name-calling, and shame and fear-based tactics to the acceptance of the BlogLord's blog comment policy without question. Instead of calling each other out on this pratice, BlogLords in this instance, wont obey the truth and hold someone accountable....because once again, The Truth is only perfectly interpreted by the BlogLord, so its all good.
Blog Lords know what is best for your life, so Mostoftherestofus should listen to them. After all, Bloglords have good points. BlogLords never twist the truth. Only Mostoftherestofus resort to that. So, I am here to inform Mostoftherestofus that you thought your life was given to you, along with your conscience and individually-prescribed path to life, but this just isnt so...it was given to YES, you guessed it....BlogLords. If in doubt, ask a BlogLord. If you dont know an answer, the BlogLord *will* know it....at the drop of some chat ink, no less. BlogLords are like Assistant to God...so youd best adhere, or be shamed forever and ever, Amen.
BlogLords rarely mention the word JESUS or there real day to day weaknesses in any other area than motherhood, homeschooling, or religion. Talking about relationships is obscure to BlogLords. If Mostoftherestofus talk about preferences, individual leadings, personal conviction, or are on some other path (which we by the way didnt take ourselves down in the first place), this doesnt sit well with the BlogLords and they feel it is their duties to call Mostoftherestofus out on it. Mostoftherestofus walk away sometimes, with our heads down in shame...and very alone.
A Verysmallpercentageofus have moved out of BlogLordia, and went to live over in IdontknowwhereiamrightnowbutGodputmehereforsomereason. It is a great place, but I dont know whats on the agenda today, because the agenda got thrown in the trash can....and the trash collector arrives hourly. It is a confusing place at times, other times crystal clear, but overall its shiny, pretty, peaceful, humorous, tender, accepting, authentic, raw, awkward, obscure, dark, light, healing, and good. It is many other things, but it changes by the minute. This Verysmallpercentageofus may not be here forever; we now know that at any given moment we may have to move to Anothernewplacethatwedidntchoosetogo, but we now know we dont need to know when that is, because we now trust that Thingshappenforareason, and the healing and wholeness we have received for even staying more than one day in IdontknowwhereiamrightnowbutGodputmehereforeason has convinced us that we are always gonna be Safenomatterwhat even if we read "The Celestine Prophecy", use a condom, watch a rated R movie, get our belly button pierced, listen to a female preach, or skip church for 3 years. A Verysmallpercentageofus know this because we actually *did* these things and unexplicably grew with God anyway, and know God better today even though it doesnt make sense......
What is really sad is, you can lead a BlogLord to water, but you cannot make him drink.
Drinking The Mystery Potion and Going To Hell In A Holey Handbasket,
Yours Truly,
A-former-BlogLord-turned-Averysmallpercentageofus
If Mostoftherestofus hang around BlogLord land too often, we may find ourselves restless, playing double conscience games, mentally exhausted, and given to shame. Mostoftherestofus may even begin to start questioning our Heritage. But the Blog Lords will assure this is ok, because first and foremost it is the Blog Lords responsibility, and an insuperable one at that-to speak the truth regardless I REPEAT regardless of what it means or does to Mostoftherestofus, becasue BlogLords are devout and completely devoted to God, and Mostoftherestofus sometimes get in the way. Unfortunately, many Blog Lords *ARE* really Mostoftherestofus, so they are doing this to themselves as well, though that wont be detected until Time Of Nervous Breakdown-when The Blog Lord realizes they are a Blog Lord and identifies with Being a Blog Lord and looks their Blog Lord Self in the eye for who they have become (NOT who they *are*). Shame, guilt, and even nauseousness can be felt often after surfing the Blog Lord Network-a conglomerate of Blog Lord owners who play connect-the-blogs with each other, building the power of BlogLordMania.
Blog Lords will criticize, kick you off their blog, delete or control posts of Mostoftherestofus, even though other chosen BlogLord suscribers are able to put down, resort to sarcasm, resort to laughing, name-calling, and shame and fear-based tactics to the acceptance of the BlogLord's blog comment policy without question. Instead of calling each other out on this pratice, BlogLords in this instance, wont obey the truth and hold someone accountable....because once again, The Truth is only perfectly interpreted by the BlogLord, so its all good.
Blog Lords know what is best for your life, so Mostoftherestofus should listen to them. After all, Bloglords have good points. BlogLords never twist the truth. Only Mostoftherestofus resort to that. So, I am here to inform Mostoftherestofus that you thought your life was given to you, along with your conscience and individually-prescribed path to life, but this just isnt so...it was given to YES, you guessed it....BlogLords. If in doubt, ask a BlogLord. If you dont know an answer, the BlogLord *will* know it....at the drop of some chat ink, no less. BlogLords are like Assistant to God...so youd best adhere, or be shamed forever and ever, Amen.
BlogLords rarely mention the word JESUS or there real day to day weaknesses in any other area than motherhood, homeschooling, or religion. Talking about relationships is obscure to BlogLords. If Mostoftherestofus talk about preferences, individual leadings, personal conviction, or are on some other path (which we by the way didnt take ourselves down in the first place), this doesnt sit well with the BlogLords and they feel it is their duties to call Mostoftherestofus out on it. Mostoftherestofus walk away sometimes, with our heads down in shame...and very alone.
A Verysmallpercentageofus have moved out of BlogLordia, and went to live over in IdontknowwhereiamrightnowbutGodputmehereforsomereason. It is a great place, but I dont know whats on the agenda today, because the agenda got thrown in the trash can....and the trash collector arrives hourly. It is a confusing place at times, other times crystal clear, but overall its shiny, pretty, peaceful, humorous, tender, accepting, authentic, raw, awkward, obscure, dark, light, healing, and good. It is many other things, but it changes by the minute. This Verysmallpercentageofus may not be here forever; we now know that at any given moment we may have to move to Anothernewplacethatwedidntchoosetogo, but we now know we dont need to know when that is, because we now trust that Thingshappenforareason, and the healing and wholeness we have received for even staying more than one day in IdontknowwhereiamrightnowbutGodputmehereforeason has convinced us that we are always gonna be Safenomatterwhat even if we read "The Celestine Prophecy", use a condom, watch a rated R movie, get our belly button pierced, listen to a female preach, or skip church for 3 years. A Verysmallpercentageofus know this because we actually *did* these things and unexplicably grew with God anyway, and know God better today even though it doesnt make sense......
What is really sad is, you can lead a BlogLord to water, but you cannot make him drink.
Drinking The Mystery Potion and Going To Hell In A Holey Handbasket,
Yours Truly,
A-former-BlogLord-turned-Averysmallpercentageofus
Thursday, April 30, 2009
"It Is Finished"
I am wondering what your interpretation of Jesus's last words uttered on the cross, "It is finished', is? Could you share with me? I am meditating on this.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The isms of Legalism
This article keeps it simple in summing up some of how I view legalism. I was not a Church of Christ member, but this site had a message board for those coming out of the Church of Christ, and it fit me, so I spent much time there trying to heal from the toxic spirituality that nearly ate me alive:
http://www.freedomsring.org/isms.html
Enjoy!
http://www.freedomsring.org/isms.html
Enjoy!
Perhaps I am "Progressive"...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christianity portal
Progressive Christianity is the name given to a movement within contemporary Protestant Christianity characterized by willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity (including the affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people), strong emphasis on social justice or care for the poor and the oppressed (see Minority groups and environmental stewardship of the earth. Progressive Christians have a deep belief in the centrality of the instruction to "love one another" (John 15:17) within the teaching of Jesus Christ. This leads to a focus on compassion, promoting justice and mercy, and working towards solving the societal problems of poverty, discrimination, and environmental issues.
This movement is by no means the only significant movement of progressive thought among Christians (see the 'See also' links below), but it is currently a focus of such issues in many parts of the world.
In recent years the term Progressive Christianity has been used interchangeably with the term Liberal Christianity. Some argue that Progressive Christians are theologically distinct from liberal Christian thought, in that Progressive Christianity draws on the insights of multiple theological streams including: 19th century evangelicalism, 19th and early 20th century Christian liberalism, 20th century neo-orthodoxy, and late 20th and 21st century liberation theology. [1]. Perhaps the most comprehensive statement of a progressive Christian point of view is "Progressive Christian Beliefs: An Introduction..." found at http://progressivetheology.wordpress.com, by Delwin Brown, apparently a reformed liberal theologian. While it frequently takes stands on the liberal side of the ideological spectrum, it should be noted that progressive Christianity is not necessarily synonymous with political liberalism.
The characteristics of Progressive Christianity, and its distinction from Liberal Christianity, have been articulated in an article [2] by Hal Taussig. These can be summarized as:
A spiritual vitality and expressiveness, including participatory, arts-infused, and lively worship as well as a variety of spiritual rituals and practices such as meditation
Intellectual integrity including a willingness to question
An affirmation of human diversity
An affirmation of the Christian faith with a simultaneous sincere respect for other faiths
Strong ecological concerns and commitments
Social justice commitments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps I fit into this 'label', if you will, with possibly leaving out the super-interest in Ecology (though I do belong to Freecycle.org! 3 cheers for free stuff!)
I dont bandwagon, and I dont fit into any 'groups', nor do I care to. But I do find it interesting how many in the world do fit into a group, and so I strive to learn about it and see where I am similar in my theology, and where I differ. I enjoy learning about cultures and different belief systems. I like understanding people.
I would highlight on the *compassion* aspect of Progressive Christianity, and accepting others as they are (Just like Jesus did!) I relate to the oppressed and poor, whether spiritually, emotionally, economically.
My posts are all over the place. I would really like to stay on one subject and dig deeper into it. And I really need a working camera so I can show my mosiacs and crafts.......as well as get ideas for my outside disaster area. *sigh*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christianity portal
Progressive Christianity is the name given to a movement within contemporary Protestant Christianity characterized by willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity (including the affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people), strong emphasis on social justice or care for the poor and the oppressed (see Minority groups and environmental stewardship of the earth. Progressive Christians have a deep belief in the centrality of the instruction to "love one another" (John 15:17) within the teaching of Jesus Christ. This leads to a focus on compassion, promoting justice and mercy, and working towards solving the societal problems of poverty, discrimination, and environmental issues.
This movement is by no means the only significant movement of progressive thought among Christians (see the 'See also' links below), but it is currently a focus of such issues in many parts of the world.
In recent years the term Progressive Christianity has been used interchangeably with the term Liberal Christianity. Some argue that Progressive Christians are theologically distinct from liberal Christian thought, in that Progressive Christianity draws on the insights of multiple theological streams including: 19th century evangelicalism, 19th and early 20th century Christian liberalism, 20th century neo-orthodoxy, and late 20th and 21st century liberation theology. [1]. Perhaps the most comprehensive statement of a progressive Christian point of view is "Progressive Christian Beliefs: An Introduction..." found at http://progressivetheology.wordpress.com, by Delwin Brown, apparently a reformed liberal theologian. While it frequently takes stands on the liberal side of the ideological spectrum, it should be noted that progressive Christianity is not necessarily synonymous with political liberalism.
The characteristics of Progressive Christianity, and its distinction from Liberal Christianity, have been articulated in an article [2] by Hal Taussig. These can be summarized as:
A spiritual vitality and expressiveness, including participatory, arts-infused, and lively worship as well as a variety of spiritual rituals and practices such as meditation
Intellectual integrity including a willingness to question
An affirmation of human diversity
An affirmation of the Christian faith with a simultaneous sincere respect for other faiths
Strong ecological concerns and commitments
Social justice commitments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps I fit into this 'label', if you will, with possibly leaving out the super-interest in Ecology (though I do belong to Freecycle.org! 3 cheers for free stuff!)
I dont bandwagon, and I dont fit into any 'groups', nor do I care to. But I do find it interesting how many in the world do fit into a group, and so I strive to learn about it and see where I am similar in my theology, and where I differ. I enjoy learning about cultures and different belief systems. I like understanding people.
I would highlight on the *compassion* aspect of Progressive Christianity, and accepting others as they are (Just like Jesus did!) I relate to the oppressed and poor, whether spiritually, emotionally, economically.
My posts are all over the place. I would really like to stay on one subject and dig deeper into it. And I really need a working camera so I can show my mosiacs and crafts.......as well as get ideas for my outside disaster area. *sigh*
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Attraction Rather Than Promotion
I was reading up on an Al-Anon concept. Here, it begins with Step 12, then goes into Tradition 11, to expound on the concept of "attraction rather than promotion". For those who do not know, Al-Anon has 12 *steps*, 12 *traditions*, and 12 *concepts*....
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Step Twelve
Having had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps, we tried to carry this
message to others, and to practice these
principles in all our affairs.
This Step summarizes the entire Al-Anon program.
Simply stated, it encourages us to share the
Al-Anon message as we continue to practice the
principles of the program on an ongoing basis.
Though we may feel eager to let others know
how the program has worked in our lives, there
is yet another step we need to take before forging
ahead—we need to determine how to carry the
message within Al-Anon’s Traditions.
Attracting
Tradition Eleven
Our public relations policy is based on
attraction rather than promotion; we need
always maintain personal anonymity at
the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We
need guard with special care the anonymity
of all AA members.
Tradition Eleven provides a meaningful road
map; by following it we become ready to carry
Al-Anon’s message outside of our group.
We begin by reaching out to the public through
the media and the professional community to let
them know that Al-Anon/Alateen exists as a valuable
resource for families and friends of alcoholics.
Tradition Eleven states that our public relations
policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
So what’s the difference?
What is “Attraction”?
In Al-Anon, attraction means we share how the
program works for us and how it can work for others.
We attract when we convey that Al-Anon and
Alateen groups are friendly and inviting to all.
Attraction is drawing others to us by reflecting
positive qualities. Means of attraction include:
*providing information
• Generating goodwill
• Cooperating with professionals and the media
• Explaining how Al-Anon/Alateen works in
our lives
What is “Promotion”?
If we “promote,” we no longer merely exhibit our
value and worth; instead, we are in a “selling” mode
that may result in resistance rather than encourage
the attraction of new members. Promotion means:
• Using “pressure tactics”—not taking “no” for
an answer.
• Making promises.
• Comparing ourselves to self-help or professional
programs for families.
• Exaggerating or misrepresenting Al-Anon’s
purpose; that we can help everyone.
• Presenting ourselves as a spokesperson for
Al-Anon Family Groups, by allowing our full
name, face, and membership to be identified at
the level of press, radio, TV, Internet, and film.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I kinda admire the concept spoken of here. Its explained in greater detail here than usually spoken about in the "rooms". Its normally spoken of that we dont push people, we hope that they will see something in us that they want to have,..... whether that be sobriety in body, healthy in mind, stable in emotion, or healed in the spirit.
When I was in my toxic christianity, I could be controlling in that I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, or at least thought I did. Therefore, it was easy to excuse away that I was looking out for people when I pushed Jesus on them, albeit in ways not always easily detected or implied by myself. I wont say I really wasnt ocncerned for people; I was....but my motives could not have been pure, or else I wouldnt have found it so difficult to live and let live, and simutaneously find that a beautiful, peaceful, and serene thing.
I find that now that I reside on the post-legalist side of my life, I still can have a tendency to promote my ideas or convictions, rather than attract by how I simply live, speak, and think. I have good intentions in that I want to promote unity, and not conformity; diversity, and not uniformity. But is that my job? I am possibly just supposed to live in unity, and allow for diversity.....and let others work out for themselves their own salvation. It allows space for people to breathe, and it makes room for them to birth their own path of discovery, and to hear from God their own prescription. I think I am to be there when requested or called on, but not develop a doctrine for all people. To point toward goodness, loveliness, and Jesus.....but not use a finger when doing so.
I am wondering what all your thoughts are. I do not desire to promote Jesus, but to attract for Him, without perhaps using so much energy. It is a nice thought.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Step Twelve
Having had a spiritual awakening as the
result of these steps, we tried to carry this
message to others, and to practice these
principles in all our affairs.
This Step summarizes the entire Al-Anon program.
Simply stated, it encourages us to share the
Al-Anon message as we continue to practice the
principles of the program on an ongoing basis.
Though we may feel eager to let others know
how the program has worked in our lives, there
is yet another step we need to take before forging
ahead—we need to determine how to carry the
message within Al-Anon’s Traditions.
Attracting
Tradition Eleven
Our public relations policy is based on
attraction rather than promotion; we need
always maintain personal anonymity at
the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We
need guard with special care the anonymity
of all AA members.
Tradition Eleven provides a meaningful road
map; by following it we become ready to carry
Al-Anon’s message outside of our group.
We begin by reaching out to the public through
the media and the professional community to let
them know that Al-Anon/Alateen exists as a valuable
resource for families and friends of alcoholics.
Tradition Eleven states that our public relations
policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
So what’s the difference?
What is “Attraction”?
In Al-Anon, attraction means we share how the
program works for us and how it can work for others.
We attract when we convey that Al-Anon and
Alateen groups are friendly and inviting to all.
Attraction is drawing others to us by reflecting
positive qualities. Means of attraction include:
*providing information
• Generating goodwill
• Cooperating with professionals and the media
• Explaining how Al-Anon/Alateen works in
our lives
What is “Promotion”?
If we “promote,” we no longer merely exhibit our
value and worth; instead, we are in a “selling” mode
that may result in resistance rather than encourage
the attraction of new members. Promotion means:
• Using “pressure tactics”—not taking “no” for
an answer.
• Making promises.
• Comparing ourselves to self-help or professional
programs for families.
• Exaggerating or misrepresenting Al-Anon’s
purpose; that we can help everyone.
• Presenting ourselves as a spokesperson for
Al-Anon Family Groups, by allowing our full
name, face, and membership to be identified at
the level of press, radio, TV, Internet, and film.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I kinda admire the concept spoken of here. Its explained in greater detail here than usually spoken about in the "rooms". Its normally spoken of that we dont push people, we hope that they will see something in us that they want to have,..... whether that be sobriety in body, healthy in mind, stable in emotion, or healed in the spirit.
When I was in my toxic christianity, I could be controlling in that I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, or at least thought I did. Therefore, it was easy to excuse away that I was looking out for people when I pushed Jesus on them, albeit in ways not always easily detected or implied by myself. I wont say I really wasnt ocncerned for people; I was....but my motives could not have been pure, or else I wouldnt have found it so difficult to live and let live, and simutaneously find that a beautiful, peaceful, and serene thing.
I find that now that I reside on the post-legalist side of my life, I still can have a tendency to promote my ideas or convictions, rather than attract by how I simply live, speak, and think. I have good intentions in that I want to promote unity, and not conformity; diversity, and not uniformity. But is that my job? I am possibly just supposed to live in unity, and allow for diversity.....and let others work out for themselves their own salvation. It allows space for people to breathe, and it makes room for them to birth their own path of discovery, and to hear from God their own prescription. I think I am to be there when requested or called on, but not develop a doctrine for all people. To point toward goodness, loveliness, and Jesus.....but not use a finger when doing so.
I am wondering what all your thoughts are. I do not desire to promote Jesus, but to attract for Him, without perhaps using so much energy. It is a nice thought.
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