  Spiritual
This week: Spiritual Hot Topics Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Spiritual Hot Topics
As my state of Illinois legislature debates the issue of marriage equality (we already have civil unions, but are now considering giving gays and lesbians the legal right to marry) it occurs to me that many of these "hot topics" (gay marriage, women's rights, etc.) are as hot as they are because of the variety of religious beliefs and understandings of faith and values we have as human beings and citizens who are part of a larger community (government). Thus,civil discourse about these issues is often difficult because they are connected to such deeply held beliefs, which makes it challenging for some to discuss them in a respectful way.
On the subject of marriage equality (aka "gay marriage) for instance, both people who speak for or against it use spiritual and/or religious beliefs as the foundation for what they believe (also the case with other hot issues like abortion, civil rights, etc.). Because of this, often arguments about these issues turn nasty, with people calling each other names or condemning each other to hell, as divisions deepen and no one's mind gets changed in the meantime. As I have matured I've realized that the only way to effectively share beliefs is just to speak my own truth, tell my own story, and not cram it down anyone else's throat. Yes, I vote those beliefs, but I find it much more helpful to share my story as just that - my story. And then let others share theirs as well, whether or not we agree. In this way we can engage in civil dialog and discussion, and hopefully come to understand each other better,even if we don't end up agreeing.
Obviously one way to share our story/beliefs is through our writing. When we put our words onto paper, it's just between us and the paper (or computer screen). No one interrupts us, no one disagrees with us - it's just our thoughts and feelings pouring out through our finger tips. In fact I often find this a better way to communicate with those who may differ with me - to send them a letter or email expressing MY feelings, MY truth (without condemning anyone who might believe differently) so that I can be heard without interruption. Then I invite them to do the same in response to me - tell me YOUR feeling, YOUR truth - speaking only for yourself and not pointing a finger at anyone who may believe differently.
Mr. Sophy and I co-wrote an editorial for our local paper on the issue of marriage equality. I share it as an example of how one might go about expressing their beliefs on the issue in a non-threatening, respectful way.
A Decent Proposal
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
We have been married for 26 years. The longer we're together, the more we're impressed by the ways our relationship sustains, challenges, and shapes us. We are better people for all we've experienced as a couple. We've shared wonderful adventures and achieved worthwhile accomplishments, and seen each other through trials and disappointments. Some aspects of our life have unfolded as we figured they would, while others turned out quite different than expected. Looking back, there were a few issues over the years that could have undone us. We calculate that we made it through with a little luck, more than a little grit, and a lot of support from people who love us.
Yet the struggles seem small compared with the blessings. Marriage doesn't have to be for everyone - we aren't suggesting it's morally superior to being unmarried - but for us marriage has been one of the main things that makes life good. We live better as partners than we would alone, and we know this is true for a lot of people. Not that it's magic, but if we honor it with the commitment it deserves, marriage makes us more generous and less self-centered, more balanced and less anxious, more content and less demanding. Marriage is a haven wherein we can relax, recover, learn and grow - a relationship where we work on becoming our best selves. Surely this has something to do with the phrase "the sanctity of marriage."
It also suggests why marriage is endowed with so much support. Stable families are good for people who are part of them, and they're good for societies in which they occur. So it makes sense that government would set up a network of legal benefits to encourage the institution. For legally married couples there are over 1100 specific rights and protections governing issues of taxation, health, survivorship, parenting, property, etc. It's been a good investment for the government to give us a family discount on our taxes, establish our rights in medical crises, and so forth. In return our relationship has helped us make contributions to our congregation and our community we might not have been able to make as single people.
Given all of that, we have to wonder for what reason and by what authority does society deny those rights and protections to couples merely on the basis of being same-gendered? It seems clear to us that society is as well served by lesbian and gay couples having stable families as by heterosexual couples having stable families. It is also obvious to us that gay and lesbian couples are every bit as capable of maintaining healthy, mature relationships as straight couples. As tax paying, law abiding citizens, they are certainly no less deserving of the same legal benefits and protections offered to straight couples. So why discriminate?
The essence of marriage is much more about mutual affection, support, and growth - being a partner on the journey of life - than it is about biological gender complementarity and heterosexual procreation. Gay and lesbian couples who are in long term, committed relationships offer the same care and support to each other and their families, the same stability and productivity to the rest of society as straight couples. Therefore, both as people of faith and American citizens, we see no justification for withholding marriage rights or benefits from same sex couples. It's way past time to take the next step toward "liberty and justice for all."
Jesus taught that all the scriptural laws and prophets boiled down to love of God and neighbor. In his ministry, he befriended those who were discriminated against, confronted the unjust institutions that oppressed them, and reconciled those who were estranged by social barriers. Love and compassion, justice and peace were the core of his life and teaching, and his message always favors inclusion over exclusion - now as then.
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Of course many disagreed with our editorial, and wrote letters of opposition to it. As long as they shared their own story, their own belief, we were happy to engage them in further discourse on the subject. Sadly most chose another road, and left nasty phone messages and called us names. However, we were happy to dialog with a couple of people who disagreed with us and chose to do so with respect. Our minds were not changed, but we were each better able to understand how and why someone may differ from us in their beliefs, which is always a good thing. |
Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Here are some responses to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (December 11, 2012)" about alternative holiday giving:
From ember_rain:
For Sophie, my poem to share in the Newsletter.
"The Nativity Scene"
The wise men on a journey of belief in their Savior, born the holy gift for mankind.
Wise men guided by a star
knowing Jesus will be born
a lonely baby in a manger.
His mother Mary praying
with angels for his safety,
this is good news today.
"Glory be to holy God
wisdom from heaven,
this my son Jesus!"
For we the wise men
within this holy trinity,
knowing he will suffer
on the cross of Calvary.
Shamed a thorny crown
and beaten on his brow,
faith the everlasting life.
O! Dear God on high
Mary is singing to him,
his eyes twinkling now
hearing songs in hymns
composed by his father
praying for our safety
we were arriving late.
Lighting the candles
for our celebrations,
preparing the future.
returning to Nazareth
named in the census.
Required by the law
with these blessings,
for his saving grace
a gift for our nation
Thank you for sharing your lovely poem.
   
From ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams  :
THANK YOU FOR FEATURING MY SHORT STORY, A PINK CHRISTMAS, IN YOUR AWESOME NEWSLETTER! Christina Daltro
YOU ARE WELCOME, lol.
From Zeke :
My wife and I give an envelop of money to our pastor to give to a poor family with no names given out.
What a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing it.
From Shannon  :
AWESOME newsletter, Sophie! Thank you for sharing these alternative gift giving links with us. What a great idea! 
Thank you!
From G. B. Williams  :
I truly support alternative Christmas giving, and would add, that giving can be done right here in America to support women and children of domestic violence; struggling artists; mom and pop businesses; local schools; and always the American Red Cross that gives so much with so little to so many! Thanks for putting this out there.
And thank you for your excellent point about help needed locally as well as globally.
From Quick-Quill  :
Christmas Jars is a novella about a secret Santa that left jars of coins on the doorsteps of needy people. Who was doing it? This is a great idea for a family, even pint jars that the children put their change in. Then on Christmas eve place the jars on the doorstep of someone that could use it. Laundry coins always come in handy to those who have no washer and dryer. It is the year long savings and the stealth that kids of all ages enjoy. Giving is the source of joy.
Thank you for sharing this.
From Katya the Poet  :
Great ideas, and thank you! I am indeed doing some of this this year!
YAY! Glad to hear it.
Thanks for all your comments - keep them coming!  Until next time, Sophy
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Spiritual: January 08, 2013 Issue [#5449]
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