[GJM] Failures of the atheistic enterprise

[marguerite hampton]

 Hi Steve,  I much appreciated your message.  My thoughts with regard to
words are as I have indicated previously, that we are in the process of
writing a new language that will allow us to manage the "new consciousness" 
(the next sphere/level of) that we are moving into as we learn how to
integrate both hemispheres of the brain along with the heart brain and the
immune system brain.  All of which is necessary in order for us to access
our innate ("inner or Christ") consciousness.   

While Peter would entice us to leave behind "dogma" and embrace"poetry" what
he is saying,
in essence,  is that we should leave behind "left-brain linear thinking" and
embrace "right-brain emotional thinking. But the truth of he matter is, as
is based in science, that neither left or right brain thinking is capable of
managing reality.  Why? Because reality can only be managed from a balanced
point of view -- neither can be ignored.  We must be able to access the
multi-dimensional aspects  of the situation and look at the whole dynamic if
we are to seek a "fair and just" basis from which to operate.  

As well, Peter, if you are going to continue to embrace your "faith" without
question and shroud it in poetry, may I ask how you handle that your
faith-based organization  is frequently  referred to as "the biggest
business in the world"?  I cannnot but wonder how many mega corporations are
controlled by this business that shrouds itself in religion, but is so much
more?  A couple years ago we learned that the U.S. media, which has
influence around the world, is controlled by seven Jewish men. What appears
is a picture strongly suggesting that religious beliefs are highly
influenced by monetary interests.  

While paying no taxes, faith-based organizations wield tremendous influence
in both business and the political arena. And, undoubtedly, the largest
organization, by virtue of the amount of money it controls, wields the most
power.  So, in this case, "my God is better than your God" bears truth?. 

It is things like this, I believe,that are causing more and more people to
leave behind "faith-based"
religion and seek the truth where it can be proven through testing. 
Something the New Science is fully capable of doing. 

Also, as to the caution that "Friendly Moderator" made writing to the effect
that we cannot afford "holy word wars" my I suggest that we will always have
conflicts -- they are part of 
the "implicate order of things" -- however is it not better to solve these
by "by word wars rather than 
by holy jihads using weapons of mass destruction?  But, may I point out that
word wars do not produce the large sums of money produced by holy wars using
weaponry -- and that is perhaps why word wars are frowned upon?  

I do believe we need to reach "another level of consciousness".   .   

My apologies for being so blunt, but in view of the criticality of our time,
can we afford to continue to skim the surface?   -- IMHO, we must probe
deeper for the "core" cause of our dis-ease.  And this is not a pain free
action.   

marguerite aka eco  
 
From: Steve Nieman
Date: 12/23/06 10:32:25
To: Discussion Forum for Global Justice
Subject: Re: [GJM] Failures of the atheistic enterprise
 
Dear Peter, 
 
 
I enjoyed your Xmas poem immensely. I agree that one of the deepest
mysteries in our experience of Life is these words that we all must use in
some fashion to communicate with one another. They can be VERY useful; they
can be shovels that dig our early graves...
 
 
Transcendence, and a humble approach to how we wield them, is good counsel.
 
 
Some of the worst fights I've had with my wife/Life Companion has often
occurred over my usage of a word that she misunderstood. These devilish
little devices often set us off at times. I then go fetch the thesaurus and
start yelling out various synonyms to try and calm the storm.
 
 
We need to give everyone the benefit of the doubt when using words. And
realize that the Infinite can never be sufficiently and satisfyingly
captured with language. It's a feeling. If you forget what it feels like? Go
give someone a hug. Another way to get close to it is do what Peter suggests
–– write poetry.
 
 
Happy Holidays to the List. I've enjoyed our strugglings trying to get
humans to open their eyes and minds.
 
 
Warm Regards,
Steve Nieman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
On Dec 22, 2006, at 11:45 PM, Peter Challen wrote:
 
 
 
 
For many who find a faith-base en-couraging in the dire dangers the global
society now faces, and in taking on the response-ability we must muster to
counter it, 
the issue is less about dogma and much more about the poetry of life 
behind rich insights that dogma tends to ossify.
 
'Throw out the dogma, but take it back as poetry' 
please, 
never failing to countenance with respect 
the starting point of others who share with us the pilgrim way.
 
As we enter Chanukah and Christmas, and approach Eid, it's hard not to be
struck by the theme of re-emerging hope in the face of overwhelming darkness
 
 
In wishing you a joyful and inspiring festive season, I share this
reflection from within my own faith tradition, 
 
Peter Challen
 
 
IN THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD
 
The richest holistic theology 
one can imagine; 
the most penetrating earth-system science 
one can grasp; 
requires such immense humility 
and confident, low-profile creativity 
that, 
in the societal spin 
in which we humans live, 
Gramsci's realism surely must abide, 
'Pessimism of the intellect, 
optimism of the will;
whatever the odds, 
whatever the gnawing doubt, 
I must be faithful to my conviction .'
 
We need be honest about the scale 
of the task, 
intent on finding answerable courages 
for playing the part 
that lies within our scope, 
- our self-scape, 
- our social-scape, 
- our earth-scape; 
making us holistic persons, 
who, 
despite all lapses in our memories, 
are fashioned in ever emergent, never finished, 
earth-system science, 
to sense the mystery and synergy of God; 
God of no name and many names, 
true wealth of life itself, 
in all time, everywhere, yet 
focused for a season in a child 
in a humbling stall. 
 
That child, whose birth-significance 
was realised with hindsight in his whole-scape, 
by baptism in water, 
maturing wisdom in exploratory debate, 
authentic suffering servant-hood, 
in triumph, despair and resurrection 
of that whole-life-reflecting week, 
through to easter, pentecost, ascension, 
fulfilling the all-inclusive human vocation 
to perpetuate vitalising love
in loving 
unconditionally. 
 
Find energy of spirit and matter, 
- they are one -] 
in the now hidden,
universal heart in nativity. 
 
Peter Challen 2006
 
 
(snipped)