David Keating

David Keating

50p

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10 years ago @ Seems Like God... - Gramma's Turkey: A Rel... · 0 replies · +1 points


Here's a comment sent to me by Lisa C. Reposted by permission:

Here's something from Pope Francis's statement today (or which there's a whole lot to quote but I like this one):
"Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security." http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2013/11/26/peo...

And contrast with, Sarah Palin's recent gaff. http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/11/.... No comment...

10 years ago @ Seems Like God... - A Statement of Affirma... · 0 replies · +1 points

I had a conversation with Joelle Renstrom, whose article "Your Belief Here" recently appeared on Killing the Buddha.

She had this to say about the Affirmation:
I like the simplicity of your statement of affirmation. I think often times people try too hard to explain such ideas, and when they become bogged down they lose their power.

I of course can get behind the ideas espoused in your statement. I'll be honest, though, and say that I balk at references to God. I don't call whatever I believe in God. In fact, due to organized religion, the word has a negative connotation for me, as it does for many people. One of the reasons Unitarian appeals so much to me is that it gives one the freedom to use that word/concept, but at the same time isn't deity-centric, and doesn't boil down spirituality or faith to that one entity. I find the word to be suffocating and limiting, rather than expansive and limitless, which is what I know to be the idea. "God" is often a convenient substitute for the rather bulky "or whatever/whomever you happen to believe in," but I struggle with something like "seek God in the people we meet." I don't seek God in anyone. Goodness, yes. Compassion, sure. Openness, connectedness, all kinds of other things, absolutely.

As I was exploring in my essay, I've never believed in "God." I suppose I'd call myself agnostic if I had to pick a label--I'd do it for the exact reason Carl Sagan does. There is no evidence that God exists, but there's also no evidence God doesn't exist, so atheism feels too resolute. But agnosticism turns away from the notion of a deity while also leaving room for faith and spirituality, and acknowledging that hey, who knows any of this for sure? Certainly not me!

Those are my two cents, for whatever they're worth. But I'm so glad that you're out there thinking and writing about this stuff--that is the most important thing, I think.

10 years ago @ John Shearman's L... - USA/Canadian Thanksgiv... · 0 replies · +1 points

hi Robert.
Although you posted your comment a long time ago, I'm happy to see that you're still active online. I realized that the link to your site in your note above isn't live, so I wanted to add this to make it easier for anyone reading to find you.
http://wordwisehymns.com/

Our theologies may differ, but I always appreciate good material and the background you offer on the history of so many hymns is very insightful

Thanks
David

10 years ago @ Seems Like God... - A Statement of Affirma... · 0 replies · +1 points

thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

I hadn't thought of the Affirmation as "compact" but I like the word very much. There are times sometimes when succinctness is what we need. I greatly appreciate your thoughts. And 'm sure that the others who helped to write the Affirmation do as well.

David

10 years ago @ Kingston ON's Arm... - Hate a Blemish on the ... · 0 replies · +1 points

here here! couldn't agree more.
up to all of us to make those statements and not sit back and ignore hate and criminal action.

10 years ago @ David Keating - Does This Count as Bling? · 0 replies · +1 points

Hi.
I think that if it was foot-controlled I'd be thinking about it like pedals and end up pumping them up and down. lol. Used to canoe quite a bit so I'll stick with paddle too.

10 years ago @ David Keating - Does This Count as Bling? · 2 replies · +1 points

Hi Courtnee. (guessing a bit at spelling. Hope I got it right)
Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try it. As for the kayag, I'm tempted to see if I can find one of those South Sea things with the outrigger :). But I suppose that would just be more effort to paddle.

I've only had time to read a couple of your posts but I intend to read more. I do hope that you'll keep writing them. You have a very personable style and convey your feelings wonderfully. All the best to you and Sweety.
David

10 years ago @ David Keating - Damn You, Jean Chretien · 0 replies · +1 points

I will do my best Teresa . Promise to come fish me out of the water if necessary? :D

11 years ago @ Seems Like God... - Taking It On Faith · 0 replies · +1 points

HI Richard. Thanks for taking the time to ask such a thought-provoking question. I hope that other visitors will take the time to add their responses. This could be a great discussion.

As for me, you've prompted me to dig out an article I wrote many years ago. I need to update it a bit and then I'll post it and see what you think. :)

David

11 years ago @ Seems Like God... - With All Your... · 0 replies · +1 points

Hi Sherron.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm actually writing a post on Theos as part of the Panentheism collection.

Theos is the word used in the original Greeek of the New Testament. It means more than some white-haired guy on a mountain, which is what most of us think of when use the word "God."

That definition of Theos would have been gibberish to the Gospel writers. Theos is "Divinity". The word is genderless. Theos is not a "he." It's also all-encompassing, which is quite contrary to the image we have of some distant deity existing apart from humanity or Creation.

This is only a brief reply and I hope you'll add any other thoughts/comments/questions. I hope to have the Theos article up for the end of this week.

In the meantime, you might be interested in the Panentheism articles if you haven't already read them.

David