I see where you're going. Aside from the ethical component, there is an emotional component.

There is righting of the wrong.

But there is also the mitigation of guilt.

Rather than an apathetic, reactive thing as in "I'm resigned to it because there's nothing I can do about it." It's a self-determined, pro-active thing, as in "Why dwell on the wrongness in the past when there is the rightness in the present."

Of course, that's assuming that it can be done self-determinedly. If one cannot attain the inner peace without the forgiveness of another, then you enter into the land of “co-dependency”, which is an entirely different problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentance

Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from the one wronged.

The religious contexts are derived from two translations... one from Hebrew and one from Greek.

Old Testament Repentance, translated from Hebrew, contains two verbs to suggest the meaning:

a.) to return

b.) to feel sorrow

New Testament Repentance, translated from Greek, the word Metanoia suggests the meaning:

To perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing. "To think differently after".

An after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, "change of mind and heart", or, "change of consciousness".
_________________________________________________


Repentance occurs in every-day thought processes, whether one is religious or not.

This internal dialogue reveals self-evaluation of our own actions (after the fact). Those learning through feelings of guilt reach that point in thought process where they look at their own action(s) and feel regret. It is more difficult for guilt-ridden to reach the point of "change of mind and heart" or "change of consciousness" because they tend to linger and even wallow in regret, leading to self-condemnation, rather than resolution.

The Christian solution to this phenomenon is to hand it over to God and recognize that Jesus Christ who died, absolves us for all our sins.

To actually really believe this to be true must be a very liberating feeling, indeed.

For those who have not accepted Christianity, the internal struggle to move through this natural learning process seems far more daunting.

Of course it would seem silly to a Christian to not accept the Christ concept. This whole process would appear to a Christian as a whole lot of unnecessary suffering.

What if, to navigate the mind's maze, one's heart could provide all guidance? Here, its called "heart", elsewhere, it could be called "Higher Power" or "God".

Don't we all experience the same journey, regardless of beliefs?

If we ALL have within our selve's the ability to pass through this process with or without religion, wouldn't accepting those who don't choose the path of religion allow for ALL to move into peace?

See...

This is the kind of dialogue I would wish to share.

You, TLW, are convinced in the truth in your OWN life. I completely honor that. Your approach leaves a door open for sharing instead of arguing.

I'm clear that someone with a fundmentalistic approach WOULD see a creature with ideas such as mine as evil.

That's not an issue for me. I don't feel the need to prove I'm any less evil than any other human being.

My desire for equality doesn't insist on proving any one belief as faulty. This desire does, however, take the focus off of the good/evil see-saw. Guess that looks evil to those highly invested in the war against evil.

Just as the "War Against Terror" creates MORE terror, so does the war against evil create more "evil".

Fine, if everyone chalks my ramblings off as some loopy hippy chick's fanciful notions of humanity living in peace. Don't care... This is what I see as within the realm of possibily. Not everyone in the world is fundamentalist. They just seem to bark the loudest.

Basically, I apply the concepts of good and evil to myself.
As I said in my first response people can believe in flying pigs as far as I'm concern.
I would state what I believe, I would hear or read what other people believe. But I won't be moved by what they believe. Sometimes it may be funny for me, but ofcourse due to respect for this person I won't express my amusement.
My biggest believe and this is what the Catholic Church teaches we ALL are God's creatures, so all of us God's children regardless where we stand in life.
A whole different approach from the fundamentalisitc believe.
This believe I have leads me to a nonjudgmental behavior.
That is why I'm not longer in this forum because the common denominator here is attack each other no matter what.

I see that trend (your common denominator) as just a wave that will, at some point, subside (still waiting).

I have been waiting for almost two years now.

Haven't there been days for you in which you've noticed it shifting momentarily?

We all have seen these days, unfortunately it never lasts all that long. You need certain people on this forum to calm things down. The LonelyWalker is one of them. There are others, too, but they don't come here anymore

That is why I'm not longer in this forum because the common denominator here is attack each other no matter what.

Basically, I apply the concepts of good and evil to myself.
As I said in my first response people can believe in flying pigs as far as I'm concern.
I would state what I believe, I would hear or read what other people believe. But I won't be moved by what they believe. Sometimes it may be funny for me, but ofcourse due to respect for this person I won't express my amusement.
My biggest believe and this is what the Catholic Church teaches we ALL are God's creatures, so all of us God's children regardless where we stand in life.
A whole different approach from the fundamentalisitc believe.
This believe I have leads me to a nonjudgmental behavior.
That is why I'm not longer in this forum because the common denominator here is attack each other no matter what.

If we could somehow find a way to apply the ideas of Ecumenism...

...perhaps that may help diminish this desire to attack each other for our differences.

perhaps you con't know mankind that well my lady, opinions rule- erasmus spoke well when he said "the war of words leads to blows". it's in our blood. i have and miles and others including eljay and miguel tried starting threads with hopes of them being good and for awhile they were but all to briefly, man likes to argue. but i'm also just as guilty of raising questions to debate that are seen as attacks, but that is only me trying to find out what others think or why they beleive as they do.

You are a great gatherer of information...

You've observed this Forum's trends much longer than I...

Perhaps you even felt that disappoinment when (momentarily) it seemed like the threads might have been shifting into a more of a collaborative expression only to again spring back to annoying arguments/debates.

But, those moments when it seems to shift are not not figments of our imaginations.

Why give up?

Yes... I AM naive.

True Path Walkers

Obligations of the True Path Walkers:

To bring back the natural harmony that humans once enjoyed.
To save the planet from present practices of destruction.
To find and re-employ real truth.
To promote true balance between both genders.
To share and be less materialistic.
To become rid of prejudice.
To learn to be related.

To be kind to animals and take no more than we need.
To play with one's children and love each equally and fairly.
To be brave and courageous, enough so,
to take a stand and make a commitment.
To understand what Generations Unborn really means.
To accept the Great Mystery
in order to end foolish argument over religion.


now your nietivity ends dear one.

I feel a pull that is in alignment with all you've just posted.

who would not want to walk rightly if they knew how to? few i believe. when your not busy being beautiful and all, you may want to read what is on the native american post by miles which i've kept going in his absence, there are many truths such as this there, we have much to thank the first people for my lady, may you be blessed.

Ahhh, to repent.

Did my repenting last week on Yom Kippur. All clear for the year now. The Book of Life is closed and my fate is sealed.

L'Shana Tovah!

M

not being jewish just how does that work? you say your good to go till next yom kippur? does that mean if you sin sometime next week your forgiven in advance? interested -