Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

sexymama · 09-29-2003, 04:45 PM

I attend a very liberal church which honors the beliefs of all people as long as they are respectful toward others. Sunday, our minister gave an excellent sermon on "the rules of engagement." I think it applies, at least to some degree, to tfpers, so am sharing it here.

According to Paul Knitter, there are 4 major ways to share our beliefs:

1. replacement model -- "my faith is true, yours is false, therefore my faith should replace your faith." Before judging that model, take a look at some of your beliefs that should be shared. For example, when someone is belittling woman based on their gender, is it really okay? Isn't that a time to work on "replacing" their belief with a more healthy view? Yes, there should be freedom, but harmful beliefs should be challenged.

2. fullfillment model -- you are a good person and you will be completely fullfilled if you simply embrace this one belief. This can be good when one is being urged to look beyond themself and at other beliefs that may complete a circle for them. Just don't build resentment by coming off better than the other person.

3. mutuality model -- don't try to convert each other, rather look at what you have in common. This is a "fun" model, but it can lead to dead ends. We all have our own view of reality and certain key words, such as God, carry different meanings for different people. Never assume that just because we sound alike, we are in total agreement.

4. acceptance model -- "sometimes we may need to realize that no amount of argumentation, dialogue, coercion or persuasion is going to alter the reality that people don't think alike." This is huge on tfp. Sometimes there are threads with lots of arguing, and very little listening. It is okay to accept that not everyone believes the same.

"It takes widsom and sensitivity to know when to replace, fulfill, mutually enrich or simply accept religious difference." We need to keep talking -- but let's think about how we can share without hurting one another.

My questions to you are how can we exercise the above information and still be respectful of one another? How do you practice each of these? What areas do you need to work on?

09-29-2003, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
sexymama My own person -- his by choice Location: Lebell's arms	"The Rules of Engagement" I attend a very liberal church which honors the beliefs of all people as long as they are respectful toward others. Sunday, our minister gave an excellent sermon on "the rules of engagement." I think it applies, at least to some degree, to tfpers, so am sharing it here. According to Paul Knitter, there are 4 major ways to share our beliefs: 1. replacement model -- "my faith is true, yours is false, therefore my faith should replace your faith." Before judging that model, take a look at some of your beliefs that should be shared. For example, when someone is belittling woman based on their gender, is it really okay? Isn't that a time to work on "replacing" their belief with a more healthy view? Yes, there should be freedom, but harmful beliefs should be challenged. 2. fullfillment model -- you are a good person and you will be completely fullfilled if you simply embrace this one belief. This can be good when one is being urged to look beyond themself and at other beliefs that may complete a circle for them. Just don't build resentment by coming off better than the other person. 3. mutuality model -- don't try to convert each other, rather look at what you have in common. This is a "fun" model, but it can lead to dead ends. We all have our own view of reality and certain key words, such as God, carry different meanings for different people. Never assume that just because we sound alike, we are in total agreement. 4. acceptance model -- "sometimes we may need to realize that no amount of argumentation, dialogue, coercion or persuasion is going to alter the reality that people don't think alike." This is huge on tfp. Sometimes there are threads with lots of arguing, and very little listening. It is okay to accept that not everyone believes the same. "It takes widsom and sensitivity to know when to replace, fulfill, mutually enrich or simply accept religious difference." We need to keep talking -- but let's think about how we can share without hurting one another. My questions to you are how can we exercise the above information and still be respectful of one another? How do you practice each of these? What areas do you need to work on? __________________ If you can go deeply into lovemaking, the ego disappears. That is the beauty of lovemaking, that it is another source of a glimpse of god It's not about being perfect; it's about developing some skill at managing imperfection. Last edited by sexymama; 09-29-2003 at 04:48 PM..