Random Wednesday – love thine enemy
WK found this T-shirt and just had to have it… Hubs the great enabler. Yet, if you really think about it, and get all philosophical with me, this really has a great message. If these two can make nice and be friends, couldn’t we all?
I’m not what anyone would call religious. I have serious issues with the organized church, but also have serious views on the influence God has had in my life. I do believe in God and believe that He has worked miracles for me throughout my life, and continues to do so daily. Not big, flashy miracles, but little things I like to call ‘random acts of God.’
I won’t preach at you, or try to ‘witness to you’ and turn you toward the Light. That’s not how I roll. I believe that those who do worship God, a higher power, or some omnipotent being, are all trying to achieve the same thing, how you get there is your business. If you follow some other ideology, that’s cool too ~ we’re all big girls and boys, and can make our own decisions here.
I believe in the tenet of ‘doing unto others’ ~ a moral value that is universal to nearly every major world religion (I don’t think that is a coincidence). I believe that there is true evil in this world as well as pure joy.
I try to live my life as an example of what I think a good person should aspire to be and try to pass that along to my children.
It hurts my soul to see what is being done today, throughout history really, in the name of God. We talk almost every day. I don’t think He’s too happy about it either.
We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. ~ Jonathan Swift (Irish author and satirist, 1667-1745)
Of all religions, Christianity is without a doubt the one that should inspire tolerance most, although, up to now, the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men. ~ Voltaire (French philosopher and writer, 1694-1778 )
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~ HH The Dalai Lama (Spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people, born 1935)
Sometimes silly T-shirts DO make a broader philosophical point, don’t they? I’m not the most devote person, but I DEFINITELY believe in the Golden Rule. There IS something to that Do-Onto-Others admonishment, isn’t there? As always, your quotes are right on point–especially the Dalai Lama! OK, my brain is starting to hurt w/ all this serious talk! For another look at the lighter side of summer, please tune in to my blog Sunday for another edition of the Silly Sweepstakes!
You have quite the funny caption-writing capability!
[Tara R.] Melissa B… I used to worry about WK and what his beliefs were, but we’ve had some mind altering talks and he’s going to be fine.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Love the new site design!
Yeah, me and God are going to have to agree to disagree. I don’t like the way he’s running the place and he doesn’t care what I think.
[Tara R.] Dingo… yeah, I think He definitely needs to fire a few people. (glad you like the new digs.)
We believe in the same God, I think, and even though I like to get mad and piss and moan about how the Big Guy is running the show, I think he just smiles at me and shakes his head, because I forget about the whole damn free will thing. Hate THAT one, I tell you. I liked what you had to say about the evil being done in the name of God; I have the same feelings and thoughts, and it just makes me feel ill sometimes. A lot of times.
[Tara R.] Kori… the thing about being free thinking beings? … yeah, that one gets me all the time too. All I know is that a few people are going to be very surprised come Judgement Day and they find out all those holy wars they were raging were just pissing Someone off big time.
“I believe in the tenet of ‘doing unto others’” My personal philosophy, no doubt. Sometimes it makes it hard because you can’t understand why others don’t think the same way . . . seems so obvious.
Swift’s quote . . . perfect. Sadly, it says it all. Oddly, he was a misanthrope who truly appreciated everything humanity could be, but simply wasn’t. I love “A Modest Proposal”–man had wisdom that transcended time.
[Tara R.] LaskiGal… I know what you mean by some things appearing to be so obvious, but some doctrines are so ingrained that people just can’t accept that they have the ability to think for themselves.
Amen. I roll like you. I too don’t like to preach even though sometimes I get preachy. But, like you I try to live by examples.
One of my students asked me if the violence in the Middle East could ever be resolved. I told them that it can be if one of the parties involved turns the other cheek.
Martin Luther King and Gandhi have proven that the only path to true peace is loving thy enemy.
[Tara R.] Chris… I have never been comfortable espousing my own beliefs as those that EVERY one must follow too. It just doesn’t make sense that everyone think the same way. For me to try to prove you’re wrong, when I can’t prove I’m right, makes even less sense.
Well said and I couldn’t agree more. I think those quotes echo my own thoughts better than I could express them.
[Tara R.] Sandy… when I was putting this post together, I read the Voltaire quote to my 15yo son. It prompted a really great talk, about a subject we rarely touch on… that in itself was worth writing this.
Beautiful! Beautiful!
The way you worded this post made me cry. I am no different. I have God in my life and I have miracles to count up but I don’t discriminate others views.
*Tears*
Just beautiful.
[Tara R.] Krissy… I’m touched that you were touched. {{hugs}}… I like you even more now.
LOVE that quote from the Dalai Lama.
It sounds like you and I have very similar beliefs.
[Tara R.] Cyndy… thanks, and I’m glad to hear we have more in common.
Cool shirt & like your philosophy!
[Tara R.] Bad Momma… I worried at first the boy would get grief over the shirt, but at 15yo he can stand up for what he thinks.
Love the shirt! Lovely post.
[Tara R.] Nola… thanks!
I’m down with D Lama! I never read that quote but that has always been my philosophy. Be kind for kindness sake – not because you are “supposed” to be. Kindness is an end in itself. It is not a means to one.
[Tara R.] BD… that’s it exactly. It hurts no one to be kind, but it can mean all the difference in someone’s life. It’s like throwing a rock into a pond, the ripples just keep spreading out. Pay it Forward.
I’m with The DL as well! We should be kind to one another (and ourselves) so we can live with ourselves here and now.
[Tara R.] April… it really takes no extra effort to be nice to other people. It is all a matter of treating someone how you want to be treated.
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~ HH The Dalai Lama (Spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people, born 1935)
Could not have said it better myself.
[Tara R.] Kim… if I could go back to school and study whatever I liked, I would study comparative religions. I would love to learn more about other religions. I would definitely like to know more about the Dalai Lama and Buddhism.