Morale boosting

[Curiosity]

Would you not say that the poor and ill are in a dire situation which needs immediate attention? If I am wealthy and healthy, there's not much more I need is there?

Sal

Your answer was what I expected from the majority of good people, but why is it always assumed that health and wealth and freedom from oppression are the only things our Higher Power can give us.

There are so many gifts available - why should a certain group be excluded unless we are thinking of 'God' or all the other nomenclatures - as some kind of charitable organization handing out relief packages. Charity can begin through a belief in a uniting cause to help and assist, but...I hardly think that is the work of God or a Higher Power - I think of that in terms of humanity becoming one with their belief system of doing good works.

Healthy and wealthy need guidance as well - and comfort - and desire for understanding so that they may live and do good works as well.

I find the prayers for assistance for the poor and ill are extremely limiting to the point of exclusion by reason of monetary, lifestyle and physical condition, and unless all humanity is included, I cannot believe the message is in fact from the True Higher Power.

As for your personal comparison - only you can answer that question. You are perhaps wealthy and healthy for a good reason - it is always a gift - and if you are in comfort, then it should be your gift to share it..... or at least have the desire to do so. I do not believe it is God-centered, only that we are taught through our various belief systems, we are doing the work of God (or whomever).

The alternative of being miserly and insular can only make humanity very unhappy and unpleasant but again, these people should have the right to expect God's (or any other name) love and protection even as much as the poor and unwell.

 

[Sal]

Sal

Your answer was what I expected from the majority of good people, but why is it always assumed that health and wealth and freedom from oppression are the only things our Higher Power can give us..

Actually I don't believe our higher power gives us anything.

There are so many gifts available - why should a certain group be excluded unless we are thinking of 'God' or all the other nomenclatures - as some kind of charitable organization handing out relief packages. Charity can begin through a belief in a uniting cause to help and assist, but...I hardly think that is the work of God or a Higher Power - I think of that in terms of humanity becoming one with their belief system of doing good works.

This part I can agree with. I do not view God as an errand boy.

Healthy and wealthy need guidance as well - and comfort - and desire for understanding so that they may live and do good works as well.

They do yes but I am not wasting my energy praying for them to recieve it. They can get off their ass and work for it.

I find the prayers for assistance for the poor and ill are extremely limiting to the point of exclusion by reason of monetary, lifestyle and physical condition, and unless all humanity is included, I cannot believe the message is in fact from the True Higher Power.

I actually would never pray for assistance for the poor. For the ill yes in that I think it is all about energy flow, but not intervention directly from any higher power.

As for your personal comparison - only you can answer that question. You are perhaps wealthy and healthy for a good reason - it is always a gift - and if you are in comfort, then it should be your gift to share it..... or at least have the desire to do so. I do not believe it is God-centered, only that we are taught through our various belief systems, we are doing the work of God (or whomever).

Aaaaaaaah, didn't mean personally wealthy as I am not monetarily so although I do have my health and that is a wonderful thing.

The alternative of being miserly and insular can only make humanity very unhappy and unpleasant but again, these people should have the right to expect God's (or any other name) love and protection even as much as the poor and unwell

That's true in that each is equally deserving but the need for food trumps some guys angst. Maybe he can get off of his duff and go help the poor guy. Voila his mind won't be focused on what will happen if his portfolio drops.

 

[Curiosity]

Good points Sal - I love the way you think and express yourself

My questions do not necessarily reflect my personal ideas but I wonder why we feel mandated by religion to take care of the sick and poor.... while for instance the current Pope reigns as a magnificent king over a far flung religion which dictates primarily the raising of the poor and sick up from the direst of existence while he revels amid the jewels and priceless art known only to royalty.

This reaction to giving assistance should come from our souls without religion should it not? Why is it the basis of prayer and enlightenment for us? Some people give automatically because giving is 'good' or praying for the sick and dying is 'good'....

Good for whom? Good for what? And why does it end up so often measured in financial ways?

I believe in totally pure charity - anonymous, quiet, non-embarrassing, to brighten and enlighten a complete stranger, and for an instant feel 'the goodness' of the act.... and then move on to take care of myself - having not become 'better' or 'worse' for the act itself. I do not lay the burden of the charitable gift by expecting the receiver to become a better person for the gift either, only enlightened for a time, and taking whatever he or she can from that moment.

Finally, the act does not make me more pure in the eyes of God or the Higher Power. It simply was
an act of giving and had nothing to do with my own personal 'salvation'.

Why do I think this way? I have for a year been bartering with God (or a Higher Power) - and wondering if that is effective or not - seems a cheap way to go. What I have learned however surpasses any outcome I have been bartering for - it is in the process of living it, not the final result.

 

[akbar]

Very nice akbar, very nice. If we would all just embrac those ideas, the world would be a better place. Thanks for sharing.

If it is very nice it is faith. Please be sure it is faith and not just the words.

 

[Sal]

My questions do not necessarily reflect my personal ideas but I wonder why we feel mandated by religion to take care of the sick and poor.... while for instance the current Pope reigns as a magnificent king over a far flung religion which dictates primarily the raising of the poor and sick up from the direst of existence while he revels amid the jewels and priceless art known only to royalty..

I think most Christian denominations including Catholicism would justify wealth by quoting the bible which tells us that there will always be poor. When I get rich, that's how I'm going to justify hording it.

This reaction to giving assistance should come from our souls without religion should it not? Why is it the basis of prayer and enlightenment for us? Some people give automatically because giving is 'good' or praying for the sick and dying is 'good'....

Good for whom? Good for what? And why does it end up so often measured in financial ways?

I believe in totally pure charity - anonymous, quiet, non-embarrassing, to brighten and enlighten a complete stranger, and for an instant feel 'the goodness' of the act.... and then move on to take care of myself - having not become 'better' or 'worse' for the act itself. I do not lay the burden of the charitable gift by expecting the receiver to become a better person for the gift either, only enlightened for a time, and taking whatever he or she can from that moment.

Finally, the act does not make me more pure in the eyes of God or the Higher Power. It simply was
an act of giving and had nothing to do with my own personal 'salvation'.

Why do I think this way? I have for a year been bartering with God (or a Higher Power) - and wondering if that is effective or not - seems a cheap way to go. What I have learned however surpasses any outcome I have been bartering for - it is in the process of living it, not the final result

I agree with you that giving to another must come from the heart not because we are told to do so or because we feel we can gain salvation by doing so. So in light of what you have said here I have a question for you. Do you believe that your average church going person believes they can aquire salvation by giving to the poor or through doing charitable works?

 

[akbar]

Curiousity

With out curiosity no one can search and find the God so to be curious is necessary to have faith in the God.

 

[Curiosity]

I think most Christian denominations including Catholicism would justify wealth by quoting the bible which tells us that there will always be poor. When I get rich, that's how I'm going to justify hording it.


I agree with you that giving to another must come from the heart not because we are told to do so or because we feel we can gain salvation by doing so. So in light of what you have said here I have a question for you. Do you believe that your average church going person believes they can aquire salvation by giving to the poor or through doing charitable works?

Sal

Unfortunately I have a more earthly view of those who attend services of faith and broadcast the news as often as is sane to do so. They enjoy the status, feel they are being good people. A high percentage of these demonstrate their 'good' by attendance only, paying a tithe or commitment to the organized religious group and never give it a thought for the rest of the week or month or however often they attend public worship.

Faith to me is a daily, ongoing thing affecting how I believe and how I behave and while I do not always win what I believe in what I believe the 'goodness' department, I am still being true to myself - and if I have some of my learning wrong, I pay attention for eventually it will work itself out and the answers will come.

I love spontenaity in giving for it comes without a conscious request or thought from me - and where does it come from? I don't question - I accept. I enjoy carrying out some of the thoughts I have, or duties I feel I must perform and in completion, know the information I received was coming from something and it brings me joy.

I guess my 'faith' that there is something guiding me and something I often disappoint by not listening, or ignoring and going my own selfish way... is how I believe. There is no name, nor organization to which it belongs, it is only my inner self hoping I am on the right path because the joy I do receive regularly from this is a habit I have acquired which I find fascinating and enriching.

I am not a 'better' person because of this belief. But I feel I am on the right path for now. Even then as I write this I am always open to change - as it has come many times - some in good things and some in tragedy. I have at least learned to accept tragedy not as an end but as a lesson. I do not run from it any more.

 

[Sal]

Evening Curiosity. It seems as though you put a lot of thought and effort and work into your spiritual life. It also sounds like it gives you peace and strength. That peace and strength are invaluable from a daily perspective and also something to sustain us when life offers up some of it's larger challenges/lessons.

It also sounds as though you are open to change and movement in another direction if that is where you should go. I think such flexibility gives us balance and leads to peace of mind knowing we can adapt when necessary.

Thanks for sharing... nice input, much appreciated.

 

[Curiosity]

Dear Sal

I appreciate your positive response. I've been firing blanks most of the day lol..... your comments make up for it.