tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post2866911683265355970..comments2023-08-23T08:27:08.039-04:00Comments on UU A Way Of Life: Can we promote and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of Every Person even in people we consider "terrible"?David G. Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-73677706699185319932014-06-02T22:07:04.306-04:002014-06-02T22:07:04.306-04:00How often when angry have we "damned people t...How often when angry have we "damned people to hell" or said, "God damn it!" whether ourselves or at others. It is easy to be "nice" when things are going well, but to be "kind" when the chips are down is another matter. It is at those times, that our Unitarian Universalist values are tested. I failed often enough and yet I keep trying to be responsive and not reactive. It is a constant effort to monitor and be mindful of my own emotional responses to things that annoy, frustrate, discourage, and threaten me and my beliefs. I pray to be a better person, and look constantly for role models who will inspire me to handle my behavior and emotions in more constructive and beneficial ways.David G. Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-75761499902448306502014-06-02T12:58:10.728-04:002014-06-02T12:58:10.728-04:00How often has a parent or some other authority fig...How often has a parent or some other authority figure said to a child, "You should be a shamed of yourself!" What is this shaming about and is it accurate? Should the child be ashamed of his or her "self" or embarrassed and regretful for he or she did?<br /><br />Toxic shaming seems to violate the first principle. How many UU parents use this parental technique to control their children's behavior?Belinda Greennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-49605234654414376342014-06-02T12:37:39.072-04:002014-06-02T12:37:39.072-04:00It is written in A Course In Miracles, "You f...It is written in A Course In Miracles, "You forsake yourself and God if you forsake any of your brothers. You must learn to see them as they are, and understand they belong to God as you do. How could you treat your brother any better than by rendering to God the things that are God's?" T-5.IV.6:6-8<br /><br />Unfortunately, other than human beings who are enlightened, most humans have not evolved far enough to appreciate this understanding. We see ourselves as separate, and our fears divide us. When we come to the awareness that we all are one, we will have arrived home. The principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every person, in spite of their bad behaviors, is a key insight that brings us closer to what the Course calls the Atonement.<br /><br />Thank you for this monthly theme. I have found it very encouraging.Susan Schmidtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-64830522071076096152014-06-02T07:48:14.182-04:002014-06-02T07:48:14.182-04:00If there ever was a great example of promoting the...If there ever was a great example of promoting the inherent worth and dignity of every person who has done terrible things, Sr. Helen Prejean is a great example in her ministry to rapists and killers on death row. Sister Prejean is famous for her statement that she believes that every person is worth more than his/her worst act.<br /><br />I love what you are doing with UU A Way Of Life and I look forward to the new posts every day. I have been forwarding them to my friends as well. I hope that your on-line magazine flourishes and benefits the many people it comes into contact with.Linda Elliottnoreply@blogger.com