I know I'm a bit late in entering this discussion, but I do want you to know that I posted the story of Ubuntu on my Facebook page and had some terrific responses. Those of us raised with a vision of Jesus compelling us to love our enemies, do good to those who (may) hate you--know that is it something we have to work at every day. If this were natural, then there would be very little need for the religious revelations of the major faiths that call us to have compassion--to recognize that we are all in this together---we are all mortal!
Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by the prejudices that are expressed, the "myths" that are held about various groups of people, that I cannot imagine what I could possibly do to counter it---but I need to keep speaking up and speaking out when Christians defend the right of free speech without making any judgments about the content of that speech. As in the recent devotion to chic-fil-a because the CEO said some pretty nasty things in opposition to gay marriage---they may oppose gay marriage--but no one should be judged on their ability to show love and nurture a child based upon their sexual orientation. These stereotypes need to be called into question whenever they arise.
Our Sunday School class will be embarking on a study of Islam from a Christian's viewpoint--but from a viewpoint that dispels the myths of our culture--and lets people hear the voices of American Muslims and understand how the roots of our faiths are the same. The tapes include the voices of Eboo Patel, and the Imam of the largest mosque in the U.S. My hope and prayer is that others will want to know more facts, will want to seek out the Muslims in their own community, and understand rather than fear our differences.
So I'd like to believe that we are naturally empathic, or supportive, but my experience says that those things are learned---we are pretty self-centered in our early years because we need to survive--and we have not got the tools to put ourselves in some else's shoes. Parents, Religious educators, teachers, youth workers, social workers--all need to help children and adults develop empathy---develop the ability to listen--to hear and acknowledge different experiences.
Thank you all for the work you do--many of us are working in our own sphere of influence to try and make a difference. When we share with one another we gain strength and resolve.
Blessings,
Sue Peterson
On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 3:48 AM, <pbjflorida@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/pbjflorida/topics
- The value of community [2 Updates]
Aileen Acevedo <ms.acevedo.aileen@gmail.com> Aug 03 10:42AM -0400
Jim and Penny, thank you for the compliment. ;o)
I agree with Jim in the possibility that Ubuntu describes "a culture
working together in harmony with the natural operating system to make a
world that works for everyone, every species with no one and nothing left
out." In describing "what possibility are you here to create?", in other
words what are you here to contribute to work toward that possibility; for
me, it's to interact daily with every living thing coming from that
perspective so that others may be moved to do the same. Also, to inculcate
that in the children I work with and hopefully make it the norm.
Now, I do believe empathy and cooperation is natural, innately built into
our nature for our survival; however, Penny's insight about competition
possibly being natural begs the question, is competition ALSO natural and
necessary for survival? I still think it is cultural, although in nature,
outside of humans, competition is obvious and necessary as in survival of
the fittest. Not sure if that should apply to us though. I like what
Richard said, "How we cease the cancerous growth of separation is to
realize, and come to act upon this realization, that we are all one. Your
well-being isn't separate from my well-being" I've heard people apply the
"survival of the fittest" concept in various social situations, but are we
erroneously and to our detriment doing that? Like Richard stated, his group
is "created from a cultural mindset of separateness and has this error
built into it."
"Can we come together, collaborate and create and commit to a truly
heart-felt possibility greater than our own self interests?" I believe the
answer to this is yes because ultimately for me that is the purpose of
life, but I also think it depends on where your gifts and passions are to
reach that goal so that it effects who you "collaborate and create" with.
Anywho, thanks once again everyone for a great conversation – it's these
interactions that propel us forward to achieving a better world.
:o) Aileen
On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Richard G. Powell
Penny Villegas <pennyvillegas31@gmail.com> Aug 03 11:08AM -0400
Good to hear Aileen/s voice in the best discussion we've had in a long time.
I raised the sibling rivalry and law of the jungle not to infer that we
could not/should strive for harmony and mutual loving-kindness. Perhaps the
gadfly in me wanted to bring some of the other side of the story to our
discussion.
Since I absolutely believe that human beings have God-nature and incline
towards good, I also am confident that we could someday reach that happy
state. Is it hard? Is it in the far future? Do we all need to work for
peace and justice? Darn right, darn right, *darn right*!
On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Aileen Acevedo <ms.acevedo.aileen@gmail.com
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