In the spirit of Love
posted by SMmmmmmmile! | February 14, 2010
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IcerocketI was talking to my mother today about life and relationships. She told me that she didn't understand why I wouldn't date a Christian. I explained to her that it wasn't because I didn't respect their beliefs, because I think everyone is different and has the right to believe whatever they want. However, Christians, for the most part, do not respect my beliefs and I don't want to put myself in an environment where I am not respected.
That got me thinking about my own beliefs and a lot of people who have similar beliefs to me. I think a lot of new agers have a holier than thou attitude that is opposite than the spirit of love that they claim to be coming from.
Criticizing others for their behaviors is not love. The only way to truly lead another is by example. Live your own life how you want to live it, and stop worrying about what other people are doing.
If you don't think it is right to travel to Peru to take Ayahuasca, don't go, but don't try and instill guilt in someone else because they think it is a good idea. I happen to think that the Ayahuasca retreat is a great idea and will be a wonderful experience for the people who feel drawn to go.
Based on a couple of popular blogs here, that belief is not respected by quite a few people on this site. So, maybe this community is just as close minded as I believe that Christians are.
The kind of people I would like to surround myself with are not people who necessarily believe the same things I do. I want to surround myself with people who respect all beliefs and everyone's right to to hold their own.
How is telling someone that their actions are destroying the earth and all of humanity any better than telling someone that their actions are going to send them to eternal damnation. I don't see much of a difference.
Comments
Not all of us
— Feb 15, 2010
Beautiful Sister: On behalf of Christians everywhere, I want to extend my apologies for the disrespect you have endured at the hands (or mouths) of my co-religionists. I wish I could say that I am not like that, that I have never been judgmental, but alas! It is not true. In the past, I have all too often sent the message to Pagans, Jews, atheists, agnostics- even Christians of different denominations- that they were somehow "not right." Now I have publicly renounced my former judgmental theology, but judgmental attitudes linger. Please bear with me. I am doing my best to let go of my prejudices. Know that not all Christians are narrow-minded and judgmental. Christ himself famously said, "Do not judge." I wish that more Christians would take these words to heart.
Regarding ayahuasca tourism, I agree that the discussion has gotten a little too judgmental for my taste. I can see the points on both sides. Our fascination with indigenous spirituality can sometimes slip into cultural appropriation and destroy the very thing that attracts us. On the other hand, all those gringo tourists are transferring wealth to some very poor people and helping to encourage and preserve the native shamanic traditions- which in some cases are close to dying out.
Rather than accusing one another, I would very much like to hear us have more discussions along the lines of, "How can we help spiritually hungry Westerners have these authentic experiences while preserving the native culture and environment?" I steadfastly refuse to see this question in black-and-white, one-size-fits-all terms. I think you hit the nail on the head: it's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. There are many paths up the mountain.
Peace, Lightning Hawk.
I totally agree with you
— Feb 15, 2010
I totally agree with you Chantel. I try to be completely open to everyone's beliefs. The one place I see myself failing in that respect is when people are judgmental of others, that to is a belief they have, but I have trouble tolerating it. I liked this blog and I hope to see you at the spore on the 22nd.
Responses
— Feb 16, 2010
@ Female Warrior - The broader perspective that you are claiming to have doesn't seem to have anything to do with my post. I don't recall endorsing indulgent tourism in Mexico.
The point I was trying to make is that people shouldn't be so quick to judge, especially since a lot of people are here trying to escape judgments that they have found elsewhere.
I happen to believe that mother earth is perfectly capable of dealing with the small amount of pollution that this one said trip is causing, and I think she is more than happy to deal with it if it means the enlightenment of some of her precious beings.
I believe in the power of the spirit plants and of the brew. And I believe that the people who are going are being called to go. I also believe that these plants know that the people who they are calling to them thousands of miles away are not going to walk to there.
And furthermore, I personally believe that mind pollution is far more destructive than any type of pollution we do to the earth. I have no problem with raising awareness, it is the negative tone that quite a few posts had that was off putting to me. And I also think that a lot of the arguments against the trip would have been stronger if they had been phrased more along the lines of "Reasons why -I- won't be joining the retreat" rather than "Reasons why -you- are bad for putting this trip together or wanting to go.
@ Aruntabear - I have to politely disagree with your post. I grew up Christian, and my values have not changed since gaining a broader viewpoint. The main difference is that now I no longer look at other peoples beliefs as wrong. And I no longer see "God" as purely something outside of myself giving me all of the answers. I now know that God is everywhere and everything thing and I know it in my soul instead of just accepting what I heard or read.
And I did not write anything about wanting to be accepted. I am pretty sure that not one other being on this planet has the exact belief system that I do, and I am perfectly ok with that. However, I do insist that anyone I chose to have in my life, let me have my beliefs, just as I let them have theirs. I am not talking about acceptance, I am talking about respect. Those are completely different things. Someone telling me that I am going to hell because I live my life fundamentally the same as they do, but I give thanks to the universe instead of to "God" is not love and is not respectful.
@ All of the hypocrites who still think they have a right to talk badly about Ayahuasca tourism, or anything else that you happen to view as destructive to the earth - You are using a computer! It was made in a factory, and that factory was most likely owned by a corporation. And you probably own books, and use toilet paper, which couldn't have been created without logging industry. ect, ect, ect. Find your own truth. Know your own truth. Own it. Live it, and let other people live their own lives without judgment.
Don't mean to be
— Feb 16, 2010
Don't mean to be "disrespectful," but I think you should be a little careful about your prejudices. Hypocrisy is very ugly. I find it hard to believe that you respect a christian's beliefs while assuming that they will always show a lack of respect for your beliefs.
"Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries." -- Robert Nesta Marley
@Tinh Man - We are all
— Feb 17, 2010
@Tinh Man -
We are all individuals and have life experiences all of our own. Christianity fits with some peoples life experience. It does not fit in mine, but who am I to say that it isn't right for someone else?
I never said anything bad about Christians. I only said that I wouldn't date one because a fundamental belief of the Christian church is that you are only saved through a belief in Christ. I do not believe in Christ and I don't want to have a partner who thinks that I am going to burn in hell after I die. I live my life very similarly to that of a Christian, except that my prayers of thanks are directed to the universe, while a Christian would say them to "God". And most importantly, I don't believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, which really, is the only belief that makes someone a "Christian".
I did not say that any Christian person would act negatively towards me for believing something differently than they do. I don't believe that, and that has not been my experience. However, the disrespect for others beliefs is built into their belief system. Christians are exclusivists. Christians believe that absolutely anyone with a different belief than them is wrong. That is not respecting the other beliefs. I don't see how you can argue otherwise.
I studied the bible six days a week for 13 years of my life. I know what it says, I know what it means to be a Christian, and I absolutely respect the religion and the people who are memebers. But I don't agree with exclusivism. I do believe that it is disrespectful.
I too was raised in a very
— Feb 17, 2010
I too was raised in a very catholic household, and I personally do not agree with the doctrines and dogma of the church, but I try to remain non-judgemental of christians. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt, I know many christians with whom I can discuss spirituality openly, free of dogma. While it is undoubtedly absurd to me to believe that following the words of a man who lived 2000 years ago as if they were completely relevant for everyday life, I can not myself be an exclusivist and bunch all christians under one roof. You have argued your point very well though. At least you are passionate and determined and not merely full of empty words. Thank you for your thoughtful response
"Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries." -- Robert Nesta Marley
Look at what they offer this way,
— Mar 13, 2011
there are three separate pathways within the christian church. The stories, the philosophy (the doe's and don't) and the spirituality. If you focus on the spiritual you may see it another way. There is truth to be found there despite how it reads, what it says or who says it. Look for the spiritual aspects and they will appear.
Unfortunately, only those with "eyes" will "see"and those with "ears" will "hear".
I am the reborn, yet I am not a Christian.
