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I am a trifle gobsmacked at that last post. It is interesting that since I was a child in the Church of England, I have hated the hymn, Fight the good Fight with all thy might. I believe that if we think life is going to be a fight, then it will be.

I don’t think certainty is a very good thing, because with certainty comes the inquisition. This seems to be where you are going. I like that God is a mystery and I don’t want it all categorised and pigeon holed.

I don’t think we can, as ordinary people, win hearts and souls. Only God can do that. We can demonstrate the way. Words don’t work because they become ‘jargon ‘ and are despised.

I believe that we can win people by kindness. I’ll give you an instance; I found it hard to feel any kindness, or indeed pray for some greedy, selfish and very, very powerful people, heads of state in this world today. But one lady on the internet said to me, ‘Think of them surrounded by darkness, as they are, poor souls. Pray for a glimmer of light to reach them. Don’t let them steal your joy. Joy comes from within of course, not the same as happiness. I would be happy if there were no hungry children in the world, but my joy comes from within me.

Love Pen. Xxx

Penelope wrote:I am a trifle gobsmacked at that last post. It is interesting that since I was a child in the Church of England, I have hated the hymn, Fight the good Fight with all thy might. I believe that if we think life is going to be a fight, then it will be.

I don’t think certainty is a very good thing, because with certainty comes the inquisition. This seems to be where you are going. I like that God is a mystery and I don’t want it all categorised and pigeon holed.

I don’t think we can, as ordinary people, win hearts and souls. Only God can do that. We can demonstrate the way. Words don’t work because they become ‘jargon ‘ and are despised.

I believe that we can win people by kindness. I’ll give you an instance; I found it hard to feel any kindness, or indeed pray for some greedy, selfish and very, very powerful people, heads of state in this world today. But one lady on the internet said to me, ‘Think of them surrounded by darkness, as they are, poor souls. Pray for a glimmer of light to reach them. Don’t let them steal your joy. Joy comes from within of course, not the same as happiness. I would be happy if there were no hungry children in the world, but my joy comes from within me.

Love Pen. Xxx

For evil to grow, all good people need do is not fight the good verbal fight against evil people.

If you live by the Golden Rule, then you should not be able to abide injustice to those who are discriminated against without a just cause, like women and gays whom the religions target.

Regards
DL

I don’t know where you live, but gay people are quite accepted here. Women’s lib is fighting for equal pay.

In recent history the man went out to work and the woman stayed home to look after the children and home. This has changed largely for financial reasons I think, but I really don’t think it’s anything to fight or go to war about. I loved being at home and caring for my children so I don’t understand those who don’t want to do it.

Women are equal but different in my opinion.

Penelope wrote:I don’t know where you live, but gay people are quite accepted here. Women’s lib is fighting for equal pay.

In recent history the man went out to work and the woman stayed home to look after the children and home. This has changed largely for financial reasons I think, but I really don’t think it’s anything to fight or go to war about. I loved being at home and caring for my children so I don’t understand those who don’t want to do it.

Women are equal but different in my opinion.

I was talking a war of words.

If you have female grand children and you do not take on the cause for equality and against misogyny and homophobia, then all you are doing is passing your battle to them.

Regards
DL

I suppose it depends on where you live and whom you encounter. I can’t say I’ve seen discrimination against gay people during my adult life.

The feminist movement are slogging away for equality but it’s a long battle.

I prefer to fight for animal rights and take a stand against factory farming and barbaric practices towards animals.

Also work against the pollution of our planet with single use plastic.

However, I don’t advocate violence, and I teach my children and grandchildren thus. No good ever comes from acts of violence. It is always the innocent who suffer.

Penelope wrote:I suppose it depends on where you live and whom you encounter. I can’t say I’ve seen discrimination against gay people during my adult life.

The feminist movement are slogging away for equality but it’s a long battle.

I prefer to fight for animal rights and take a stand against factory farming and barbaric practices towards animals.

Also work against the pollution of our planet with single use plastic.

However, I don’t advocate violence, and I teach my children and grandchildren thus. No good ever comes from acts of violence. It is always the innocent who suffer.

Good to hear you are active.

I also dislike violence but am not a pacifist as I think reciprocity is fair play and that turning the other cheek just rewards evil.

If you can, watch the documentary Cowspiracy and see how, if we are to improve the environment, cows have to go.

Keep on keeping on buddy.

Regards
DL

What I dislike are blanket statements, "No good ever comes from acts of violence." We should have waited for the Nazis to do what? Kill all the Jews? Perhaps you should discuss that philosophy with the Carthaginians... Oh, wait...

Litwitlou wrote:What I dislike are blanket statements, "No good ever comes from acts of violence." We should have waited for the Nazis to do what? Kill all the Jews? Perhaps you should discuss that philosophy with the Carthaginians... Oh, wait...

I hear you.

There is a time for hate and retaliation.

Regards
DL

Penelope wrote: I believe that if we think life is going to be a fight, then it will be.

Yes, I see the point.

Penelope wrote:I don’t think we can, as ordinary people, win hearts and souls. Only God can do that. We can demonstrate the way. Words don’t work because they become ‘jargon ‘ and are despised.
I believe that we can win people by kindness.

And if we don't win someone, at least we will have been kind.

Penelope wrote:Pray for a glimmer of light to reach them. Don’t let them steal your joy.

Tall order, but I am willing to give it a try.

A pleasure to read these views. Thanks!

Gnostic Bishop wrote:There is only one way of winning the heart and soul of another person; by force of ideas.

I find quite the opposite - that trying to win someone by ideas is almost always futile, while helping them realize what common purpose you are serving has some chance of getting them to listen.

Gnostic Bishop wrote:The goal of debate and discussion, a war of words, is to find truths that can be agreed upon.

There is truth in that, but I find it is usually the people on the sidelines who actually are influenced by the arguments. Rarely do I see someone I have been arguing with admit to being influenced by my arguments, and for that matter rarely do I admit to being influenced by those who have been arguing with me.