Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Is God in the courtroom? Is It the Truth?



Is God in the Court Room?  Is It the Truth?
Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you _______?

Scenario.
 Here we have a court room. Court is in session. The following are present: Her or His Honor, lawyers, plaintiff (s), defendant (s), bailiff (s), court reporter, witnesses, and members of the jury, exhibits, and all others present. A witness is being sworn in.  A book is presented in front of the witness to place their hand on to authenticate an oath of honesty.

What is the book? What spiritual practice does this book infer or represent? Could the witness be allowed to use their own spiritual practice and or belief to substantiate the information which is about to be presented by her or him.  Does the formality of presenting this book infer a religious practice?

Swearing in: Does the formality of “swearing in” establish a covenant?  Granted my observations are limited to movies and television yet, at the moment of swearing in all which are present seem to be in agreement with One without ever actually thinking about it.
Further Questions. Is God needed to avow the impeccability of one’s word in the court room? If so, then who’s God?  Which spiritual practice determines Truth?  

Just a thought, 
Barbara

Monday, April 2, 2012

Uniting a community can be challenging

My first role model was my dad. When I was in the seventh grade, the school district wanted to bus students in our district to another school district. My dad attended PTA meetings. When the school busing issue arose my dad went from door to door with petition in hand asking for signatures to prevent busing. Out of an entire district four parents signed the petition. My dad was laughed at, talked about, then other times he felt ridiculed.  My dad's agenda was to prevent my younger sister from being pulled away from of walking distance to school and back home. 

At the next PTA meeting the results or answer from the district arrived. The Principle told the parents their children would be bussed out of the district. Parents were upset and wanted to know if there was anything which could be done? The Principle, Mrs. Capers of Douglass Elementary School in Over town Miami, Florida ( N.W. 12 th St and 3 Ave) said:" well I heard Mr. Gene ( my dad) knocked  on many doors trying to prevent this from happening but he did not get enough support, it's too late, so don't come crying on my shoulder."

My dad felt he had failed but in my eyes he tried to make a difference. I was too young to truly appreciate his efforts, but now I do understand the challenges of  wanting to unite a community.

Attempts to unite a community is a labor of love. It requires fortitude, commitment,vision,  and more.  There were and are many which tried and still try to unite communities. For those of you trying to make a difference in the community just know your efforts are not in vain.

Question: Have you ever tried to organize a community? What are your thoughts on unity in the community?

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Spirituality and Addictions

What is an addiction?
An addiction is a combination of dominating mental obsessions along with profound physical compulsions working in conjunction which prevents the holistic growth of a human being.
There is no cure. Remission yes. Cure? No.

Remedy involves abstaining from the behavior, drug, alcohol, food, or whatever has created total chaos in their lives as well as their families lives.

How does one abstain from the culprit?  Well first let us explore exactly what is the culprit? Is the cause the addict? The behavior? The thoughts? The physical compulsions? Could the enemy be a failure to control  thoughts, behaviors? The inability to control? Notice the words failure to control versus inability to control.

The term failure may create low self esteem, whereas inability infers there is a lack of talent to accomplish. Well here it is.The answer is a question and the question is why does the person experimented with drinking or smoking, etc in the first place?

I think for now this is more than enough information. I would love to know your impressions.
Rev. Barbara