http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments

and she's lenghtening the contract, used to be only 3-4 generations, not 7. lol
you know your Bible better than I. what did Jesus say was most important?
editted to add: I think Luke 10:25-28 is what I had in mind.
we seem to have a hard time defining neighbors

let me take off my patriarchial hat for a moment, and note that for maybe 50-60,000 years, the womb not the phallus was the predominant cultural metaphor.

Sex therefore served as an icon of the self becoming itself, a very different representational value, relating to erotic desire of divine becoming itself. We are made from stardust and we seek to return to the stars.. We are all neighbours, sharing in the cosmic dance.

The symbol of the womb is not a thrusting, pulsating overwhelming power representation. Rather the womb prefigures the whole human being, a being to be inclusive, embracing, nurturing, intimate - a gentle energy but more overwhelming than the brief pulse of the penis.

The long oppressive history of patriarchal dominance and interference, instilled by male models of philosophy initially and then male led medical practice, debased and decreased a holistic understanding of sexuality that included the female perspective.

As humanity settled into the city lifestyle and war became male dominated, the very idea of neighbour changed.

Today, as in Jesus' day neighbour is someone who lives nearby and implicity has the same value system.

Hence love your enemies became a profound metaphor for early christians. By the middle ages the dictum became personified and thus legitimised warfare between cities/states and countries.

Tolstoy railed against militant nationalism, and used the injunction to love thy enemy as his primary text.

I am continuall amazed by customers who come in and abuse me for stocking books on Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism; truly we have a long way to go in understanding who our neighbour is.

/aside.
Master 23 is watching the southpark episode on Mel Gibson and the Passion as I type this: "we live in a rational community and everybody knows this is only a movie" Sadly for many Iraq is just a movie on the tv news.

I better turn off this stream of consciousness and go to sleep. Nite :)

another glass of wine on me! you wrote that? that was beautiful.
I was looking for the link for that before I realized that was you writing. you sounded just like a goddess worshipping feminist whose boyfriend came before she did! wow , lol.
did we ever discuss "When God was a Woman"?
you're spot on in your analysis, IMO. while I was trying to figure out that it was Luke I was remembering, (but really it must have been Matthew), I came across a scripture about the universe, the world, and Mary's womb being the point of creation. and Jesus being the point of that point. you know this one?
says to me that we all carry the divine spark. and Catholics know women are important, hence the exalted position of Mary not present in Protestantism. but lordy aren't you men scared of Mary Magdalene? you shouldn't be, note that they share the same name. men catagorize women into sluts and mothers, we are all of the above. but it's nothing to fear.

Mary Magdalene: Natural, uncontrolled, daemonic, chthonian, untamed. Scary.

Mary, Mother of God: Demure, submissive, controlled, Apollonian. Not quite so scary.

just a brain dump of a range of stuff I have read over the years.

re 'point'I think you may be referring to Teilhard de Chardin, but
possibly von balthasar(have you read him?).

Peter Kreeft writes a reflection as Jesus: So the universe was a womb for humanity, and humanity was a womb for Israel, and Israel was a womb for Mary, and Mary was a womb for me. Thus, Mary is the point of the universe, and I am the point of that point but I have not got the book so cannot check if he is quoting someone else.

My nursing career cured me of any fear of women lol.

off to work, so can't stop and write more, later!

thanks I was never gonna find that again, but I remember he had a funny name. I was reading a review of his book. geez, I just assumed since Kreeft wrote "I am the point of that point" it referred to a quotation somewhere, but now I see what you mean. you know I don't practice but it's the closest culturally to me so I use Christianity as a reference a lot. as artappraiser would say, I just "cherry pick" the parts I like out of all the major religions. but I trust my insticts still. ah! maybe we're back to the animal/pre-language/subconscious morality/inner voice/soul thingee. now if only I could make myself understood! but I know you follow....

I am continuall amazed by customers who come in and abuse me for stocking books on Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism; truly we have a long way to go in understanding who our neighbour is.

At the same time, I'm always inspired by the books of dialogue between religions. It sounds like getting people to read them is a whole other project, but I'm glad they're being written.

Thanks, Graham7 -- I've never seen it before.

The nine touchstones are remarkably similar to Buddhist ethics.

One of my perennial favourite books is Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics by Robert Aitken. I find it incredibly grounding and reaffirming to read. (It is definitely on my desert island reading list.)

I'd beg to differ, greensmile. Yours make great stories.

(I am not surprised, but I do think it is great how many people here bike for transportation, and now many are into solar power and alternative energy.)

from one chicago dyke to another, you should come to the benefit we're having today at FEED. you know I always resented that old agonistas might mistake you for me when you first arrived here, but not any more. yours is a similar but distinct and much more resonant voice.
please come breakfast, lunch or dinner
2803 W. Chicago Ave. corner of California

We the equally bleak are certainly delighted to be in your company, babe. :)

someone talked about how we should get away from the Internet. The same thought occurred to me about a month ago. It was then that I decided to work as a volunteer for the local candidate of the provincial Liberal party of Ontario. Not only did I land amongst people who like myself are passionate about politics, but also, I have never had so much fun. Yesterday, I helped barbecue hot dogs (I am a vegetarian – lol) for the workers in the campaign office, canvassed on the phone for a while and spend the afternoon ‘mainstreeting' with a group of people including the candidate himself as well as George Smitherman, the minister of Health of the provincial government. While speaking to people in the street and handing out pamphlets, we met another group of canvassers from a different party. Suddenly, I found myself face to face with Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP. He had a wide grin on his face and, since we're all Lefties, I felt like giving him a big hug. lol. However, I contained myself and gave him a ‘firm' handshake instead. On Election Day, I will do whatever is required; I may act as a poll clerk like Canuck, I may offer people rides to the polling station etc. Then, after the polling stations close, I'll join in to, hopefully, celebrate at a big party for the campaign workers.

Regarding “Dealing with Problems” by David Caruso – whenever I’m faced with a problem I always ask myself what the worst case scenario would be. I then familiarize myself with this hypothetical situation and start looking at my options. This is a mental exercise I perform that somehow reduces the size of the problem. It always works well for me since the worst case scenario rarely presents itself. And if it did, I’ve already found a solution for it.

When I first discovered the Agonist I used to marvel at the superior intellect, wisdom and sublime command of the English language of its contributors. I must have visited for about a year before I posted my first fateful comment. In the beginning I vacillated between contributing to the posts or remaining silent. I believed that I wasn't smart enough. However, I managed to talk myself out of this inferiority complex and since then I've learned how to navigate through the myriad of topics. I automatically grab my dictionary when I come across a JPD post. And ES, you've referred to the “Overton Window” twice this year.:-) Like everyone else, I've got my favorite posters – their comments are usually brief, to the point and funny. Anyhow, I will continue to try and improve my English. What springs to mind is the movie “Il Postino”. I remember a scene on the beach where the postman dreamily recounts and admires the metaphors used by the poet Neruda. Sometimes I feel like that postman, when I sit here and dreamily admire the structure of a sentence or a metaphor used by someone to strengthen an argument.

Thank you for this wonderful post Shauna and for your words of encouragement. It’s interesting to read some of the personal stories and experiences of the Agonistas. It’s here at the Agonist where I can let reign my fiery side. The other side of me, the gentle person, I reserve for my patients in the community who are dying. I am grateful for the many comments of appreciation I receive from the families. Appreciation for a job well done is not expressed enough in our working world. It’s a pity because people thrive on appreciation.

This brings me to Ian. I have been a silent admirer of your work for a long time. I’m always amazed at the variety and depth of the topics you bring to this forum. You are responsible for most of the stimulating discussions that take place. It always saddens me when you are subjected to hurtful comments. You deserve better. Keep it going, Ian.

And then there’s Tina, the ‘all-seeing’ Tina. She darts around - gives a comment here, posts a follow up there, poses a question, answers a question and the list goes on and on. Your contribution to this site is immeasurable. A heartfelt thank you for all that you do.

SPK and Stirling, also many thanks for your exceptional gifts.

Finally, I honestly believe the world would be a better place with more Quiet Bills and Ricks who are always humming in the background to keep this site sailing smoothly.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is really a wonderful set of official and unofficial editors here. :) I must admit that lots of little birdies that whisper in my ears in order for me to keep up. I am always amazed when I have the time to look thru recent posts and diaries how much I miss! And also don't forget the wonder humor and cultural posts by Doug. :)

Thank you for handing out all the accolades, adrena. The amount of work that goes into this place is boggling, and it is great to see people publicly recognized. (And the moral support goes a long way.)

I'd probably hug Jack Layton if I got to meet him, too. (Or at least that would be my first instinct.)

My heart goes out to you on the hot dogs. At one point when I was eating completely vegan, I wound up making Thanksgiving Dinner for 120 people....

I've handed out grip cards at the polls on election day, worked phones, coordinated volunteers, done tech support, helped set up a coordinated victory party...it's like opening night on a theater run, no matter what part you're involved in: crazy energy, lots of excitement, and hundreds of people holding their breath.

I hope you will give us an update on how election day goes and what you wind up doing.

(I thought some people might take offence if I wrote "irregular people.")

I mean, spiritual support! :)

as solely synonymous with Christianity. That's fingernails on my own personal chalkboard.

I do my best to share your attitude...I've had a ring-side seat on Virginia state politics for a while, and the infighting and ineptitude and sheer pettiness is so disheartening.

That's why I love stories about DOING: they make a great antidote.