hello from the midwest

[honeydoodle]

i came across soulforce from the press coverage concerning wisconsin lutheran college in milwaukee, wi.

in the quote from the motto:
"Spiritual violence is the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation and rejection of any of God’s children"

which God is reffered to? I understand that this organization is about religious tolerance, but is there an emphasis on the God of the Bible, Christian or Judeo? Or is this more the unitarian-universalist view point?

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I have a problem understanding that motto, since most major religions (excluding UU's) "reject" non-believers of that particular faith. Hence, it wouldn't be spiritual violence, but the doctrine of the religion to reject those of a differing faith in fellowship activities.
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Not that I in any way agree with spiritual violence:eek: , but I'm trying to clarify.

[andrewlittle]

Not that I in any way agree with spiritual violence , but I'm trying to clarify.
I'll take you at your word, and see if I can help clarify. Others may do the same, since I don't have the corner on Soulforce theology.
in the quote from the motto:
"Spiritual violence is the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation and rejection of any of God’s children"

which God is reffered to? I understand that this organization is about religious tolerance, but is there an emphasis on the God of the Bible, Christian or Judeo? Or is this more the unitarian-universalist view point?

Rather than the "motto", you have quoted the site's definition of "What is spiritual violence."

While there are many members of the forums who are not Christian, the organizers and leaders of Soulforce are. The concepts expressed in this and other places on the website, with the exception of some posts which represent the variety of beliefs of the posters, refer to the one God - the God of the Judeo-Christian tradition, the God the Bible teaches about. Most of us also believe, since this is the only God, that it is the same God worshipped by a great many other religions and people of faith.

It sounds like you believe that there are multiple God's - which most of us would accept as your prerogative as a person of faith. While your views may make for some interesting posts, I don't think anyone would "take you to task" for them or denigrate you because of them.
I have a problem understanding that motto, since most major religions (excluding UU's) "reject" non-believers of that particular faith. Hence, it wouldn't be spiritual violence, but the doctrine of the religion to reject those of a differing faith in fellowship activities.
While there are certainly adherents within all religions who would, I think your statement that most major religions reject non-believers is a broad generalization. As a Christian, I have been welcomed by people of most religions - I think the difference is that I approach them non-judgmentally, perhaps.

Most religions, except the most extreme manifestations of them, have doctrines that include reaching out to others in love and welcoming. I can only infer that your path has included experiences with exclusivist, judgmental and condemning religious expressions, for which I am sorry. As a polytheist, I can only imagine the depth of pain that those incidents of intolerance left you suffering.

Please be welcome. The Soulforce forums are a safe place from which to recover from experiences with closed-minded and spiritually violent people.

[u-dog]

You are welcome here and you will be treated with respect by the vast majority of the members of this community regardless of your beliefs. We have people with all kinds of Whacko.... :lol: sorry. couldn't help myself.

We have people here who are Catholic, Mormon, Quaker, Protestant, UU, Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, neo-pagan. We just heard from our first (I think) Muslim (albeit a somewhat secular one) a day or two ago. We all believe the truth of our respective religions and interpretations of religions very sincerely and occasionally go "at each other" with passionate abandon, but it is all done with a lot of affection and deep respect. Its an amazing community in that regard.

Occasionally we accidentally wound each other, but those injuries usually heal pretty quickly with the help of third parties.

Every so once in a while someone comes in from the outside and baits us and we respond with somewhat less good humor and tolerance but we are working hard to live up to the ideals of Soulforce and try to hold ourselves and each other accountable to them.

So... feel free to read and participate with us. All of the threads are open so you can evaluate this place "warts and all" All of our triumphs and failures are there for all to see.

[BruceChris]

Most of us believe that there is One God, but that there are innumerable religions. Some of us are pagan, agnostic, multi-theistic, or other, but then, most of those freely admit it, and as far as I know, are rarely if ever judged for it.

Our most serious concern are those who are threatened by anyone who does not believe exactly as they do. I call these fear-based religions, or belief systems, and their adherents are usually exactly the same people who are homophobes, and wish to "save" us from our selves. I am truely sorry for those who believe that their fears are more important than God's love.

Most of us believe that there are a wide variety of sexual orientations, and gender identities, in all combination, and that is all part of God's plan. I'm sure that I will get some criticism for some of what I have said above, but that is a large part of what a discussion forum is for.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[tdogg]

Here is your official welcome Honeydoodle! I've responded to you in another thread but never welcomed you. Glad you found the SF forums, it's a pretty nice place here, full of passionate, compassionate loving folks. yes, sometimes the conversations get heated but we all learn from it. You can't have passion without a little heat.

I was raised AG (pentecostal) since a pre-teen. I've felt much oppression at various AG churches, both myself and others being oppresed. I've seen things happen I didn't agree with (in my heart) and I often don't identify with those who call themselves Christian. I like to say spirituality is an intimate part of one's self that's between them and their God and isn't for me to judge. So, whatever your beliefs, you will be welcome here. I do have my spiritual beliefs which sometimes I share and sometimes I don't - but I will never attempt to pursuade another to adopt my beliefs. I don't really see that here with the regulars, although on occasion we get someone who is pretty adamant about what they belief. Again, we can all learn from our interactions.

Anyways, if you have felt spiritual oppression, it is a difficult thing and you will find kind words and lots of cyber hugs here. We are fairly open minded and welcoming, so no worries - I think you'll enjoy it here and looking forward to getting to know you better!

Tdogg

[honeydoodle]

As a Christian, I have been welcomed by people of most religions - I think the difference is that I approach them non-judgmentally, perhaps.

I can only infer that your path has included experiences with exclusivist, judgmental and condemning religious expressions, for which I am sorry.
Please be welcome. The Soulforce forums are a safe place from which to recover from experiences with closed-minded and spiritually violent people.

thank you so much everyone for the warm wishes. Uh, while this quote is most definitely correct, your path has included experiences with exclusivist, judgmental and condemning religious expressions

As a polytheist :p I'm actually not a polytheist. As my first post, I was kinda testing the waters and trying to be general and non-specific. I'm actually a lutheran, so I'm sorry if I led you to a misunderstanding.

You are welcome here and you will be treated with respect by the vast majority of the members of this community regardless of your beliefs. We have people with all kinds of Whacko.... :lol: sorry. couldn't help myself.
lol. whacko is right! ;)


Every so once in a while someone comes in from the outside and baits us and we respond with somewhat less good humor and tolerance but we are working hard to live up to the ideals of Soulforce and try to hold ourselves and each other accountable to them.
While i definitely will strive to not bait and switch here, I have to admit I'm pretty steadfast in my beliefs, and I come here from "the other side" I guess you could say. I have a friend at one of the colleges the ER went to, and I decided to try and find out why people wanted to tell a church that they are wrong in their faith.

so again, thank to everyone for the warm welcome.

[nmwolfboy]

Welcome, Honeydoodle. :wave:

i see that you've already joined into some of the discussion that happens here. Some folks like to lurk around for a while just following our threads for a bit, while some jump right in. Whatever you're comfortable with. If you've got questions, i would suggest using the search function in the Forum toolbar to see if it's been addressed before - whatever your question, someone has probably spoken to it.

Respectfully, i disagree a bit with your assertion that the Equality Riders are concerned with telling a church that they're wrong in their faith. (if i mischaracterize your position, please forgive me & let me know.) While many of us at Soulforce disagree with the positions of some faith communities towards lgbt people, i don't see the Riders purpose as being accusatory. Instead, i see them as putting human faces on the impact of institutional policies that derive from those positions.

The Riders are willing to risk arrest for their beliefs. In some cases, (and this is just my own personal opinion) it seems that the administrators of the schools they visit do not have enough faith in their own beliefs to chance entering a dialogue with the Riders. That could just be small-minded of me, but it's something that always puzzles me about the reactions of some people who believe that being gay isn't part of God's design. If they are really so steadfast in their beliefs, why do they react like gay people are pariahs? i earnestly do not believe that Christ would react that way.

Sorry, didn't mean to get up on a soapbox - i really just meant to welcome you here. That's one of my faults - the tendency to pontificate when given the chance!

Pax :dove:

scott

[keltic63]

The Riders are willing to risk arrest for their beliefs. In some cases, (and this is just my own personal opinion) it seems that the administrators of the schools they visit do not have enough faith in their own beliefs to chance entering a dialogue with the Riders. That could just be small-minded of me, but it's something that always puzzles me about the reactions of some people who believe that being gay isn't part of God's design. If they are really so steadfast in their beliefs, why do they react like gay people are pariahs? i earnestly do not believe that Christ would react that way.



agreed. I'm still trying to figure out why OBU would prohibit the Riders from entering the Chapel for worship.