Speaking as one raised Christian, it still amazes me how many Christians are so UnChristian.Selective obliviosity comes into play in a big way . But not the kind of selective obliviosity that can be viewed as the positive kind.It's a long story from long ago........search the term here on this site.

Search didn't find "obliviosity" except here. There deosn't appear to be a site search although there is a local search.

I did read a thread where a fellow went off on the topic of Arlo setting up a new world religion. He was a Melanie fan and had apparently gotten kicked off her site for the same tripe. I was impressed by the way this group handled him and the depth of Arlo's response. He made good points about 'the little god' I've seen elsewhere (Carl Sagan) and there was tolerance to the point the cat would not back off, then the requisite moderation as there must be when a troll digs at the foundations of the bridge.

One thing I've seen over and over again is how badly people handle their insignificance. We're all afraid of dieing alone, being buried alive or losing our power over our own commode. Yet look around and one discovers how many people have managed through so much worse because they chose family well. Here's a story worth reading:

http://www.aish.com/63053312.html

People do amazing things when push comes to shove.

I was raised Southern Baptist. At 17 I was able to choose, and so I began my adult relationship with them: If I must, I will enter a Baptist church for the wedding or funeral of a good friend.

Are you familiar with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville? Here's their mission statement and a link to their website:



http://www.uuch.org/

As Christian organizations go, the Unitarians are the best, IMHO.

search the term "selective obliviosity" with arlonet's search feature.....it's there! I looked!

Len--see the thread "Questions That I Like to Ask." I hope it furthers your search for information on the doctrine of selective obliviosity.

Len.. which 'skin' are you using for the message boards?

If you're using "Aero Blue" ... the one with the cool pic of Arlo and a beautiful young woman... look in the lower right corner of the grey frame around the picture and you'll find the site search button ... if you're using "x-static" ...with the light blue swirly background, the search button is at the upper right corner... unless you're being selectively oblivious to search buttons, in which case they are not there.

Ah... yes. I was being too selectively non-oblivious. I was looking for a text box instead of a label. See what too many years of building pages does to the brain.

Thanks Wyldflower!

@ceashel: Yep, Dana used to go the Unitarian Church to rile her Methodist minister father so there are some connections there. They are (at least were) located on the side of Monte Sano Mountain.

I've no particular problem with the Methodists per se. Their message isn't offtrack or offensive. In part it is the neighborhood (county) and in part is a bit of inbred membership with the usual politics. As I said, this particular fellow has a Jones to shred and I suspect a green monster (Not THE Green Monster which as we know is an affable fellow). I think Larry is right. This guy is an opportunity to practice selective obliviosity somewhat the way one respects copperheads while looking for a sharp shovel.

Meanwhile... video. The weekend approacheth.

Er...not all UU congregations are Christian...they evolved out of the "Judeo-Christian tradition," but I know a lot of UUs (am personally more of a fellow traveler -- like the principles, but have no use for church), and some individual churches are decidedly Christian, but lots (and lots) of UUs would not accept the label "Christian"...some are atheist, some humanist, some agnostic, some pagan, some Jewish, some Buddhist, some all of the above or more, etc....the most you'll ever get them all to agree on is "one god, more or less". They can be very nice, or very annoying, and sometimes both.

http://www.uua.org

for general info and

http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml

for the few points they agree on (but still debate the meaning of).

Oh, and "selective obliviosity" turns up some results on Google.

Yah, I know. I attended my first UU 'church' in 1972, and it was all over the map. But that was why I suggested it. Unitarians are the closest I have found to The Church without actually being in Housatonic. All are welcome, and that's saying a lot in the South.

I'm ready for some "Guthrie Family Rides Again" art.

To me Pete is a good American and is just doing whatever he feels right for himself. I had a late Aunt & Uncle who independent Baptists. Those old time Baptists who don't like modern stuff like rock & roll, women in pants etc. My Uncle knew Pete having met him in GA, and he & Pete were a good example of how folks could have differing viewpoints & yet enjoy talking about all sorts of stuff. Hopefully that guy will one day open his mind up to Pete and his music...

Opening up his mind... that's the trick isn't it. My zen master taught me that one should never pull a plant up and look at the roots to see if it is growing. Confrontation isn't a good strategy unless real harm is immediate and unavoidable. It's lousy karma because it starts the negative feedback and that blows the tweeters of personal relationships.

I'm going to wait for the 'teaching moment' when revelation like a flowering bud happens because it is ready and only needs a little sunlight. A flower leans toward the sun because it loves what loves it. Love is all powerful need for growth. To find the right moment, I must find him in the light not the darkness when the need to grow dominates the need to be significant. Jealousy is a sign that one feels insignificant. He associates Pete and me with his lack of growth but the fact that he will say something like that means he is desperate to grow, lost in the darkness, and that is a desire that can be a maker of good karma and a destroyer of bad.

He is a dutiful man. Dharma rules his thinking and kama is made to wait, thus his karma isolates him in darkness. There is the tipping point to watch.

funny!

i know i know...this is serious. but it was funny too!