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August Newsletter Page Three |
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three of the panelists attended a Christian school, Trinity School of
Texas. "There were no religious (Christian) pressures. There were Jewish
and Muslim students," said Laura White. "A note from the parents would excuse you from attending theological studies, although many non-Christians still attended (the classes) because it was less of a hassle," Laura said. "I know that emphasizing religious doctrine versus downplaying it is a constant struggle at the school. It's not an easy job for a religiously affiliated school in the Bible Belt." Three out of four panelists consider themselves liberal Christians. Michael Herbert said he considers himself an atheist and doesn't believe in an afterlife. He believes "here and now" is important. Three of the panelists find this area too constricting to make their home here at this time. They plan to live in more liberal areas: Austin for Bryan and Laura and New York, Canada, England, and Sweden, in that sequence, for Anna. On the other hand, Michael believes it is important that he live in this area at this time of his life. For him, it is part of accepting the challenge and being true to himself. Without exception, the panelists were pro-peace, against the Iraq war, against the Bush administration, and against drafting. "Even if I am drafted, I won't shoot anyone," said Bryan. "I could never bring myself to shoot another person - to end another person's life. I consider myself the true definition of a conscientious objector." Anna, on her revealing stereotyping mission, jokingly interjected, "Girls can't be drafted; they are too emotional. They would get scared and start shooting everybody." The Fellowship gave Anna, Michael, Laura and Bryan a standing ovation and an immediate invitation for a return engagement. Anna will be corresponding with us through this newsletter while she travels the world. UFL would like to thank the Longview News-Journal, particularly Miranda Harris, for the advance notice in the July 16th issue which drew many visitors and filled the Fellowship hall to capacity (now we know how many we can seat!). Erika Blakely counted 58 people!! §§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§ Do not seek to find out "what to do." Every "what to do" is only an abstraction. You will never come to the truth of your own being by riding on the back of an abstraction. If you know "what to do," you can be sure it is the wrong thing. Bernard Phillips |
Stewpot Crew Strikes Again -- Or should it read? -- Stewpot Crew Makes a Hit In either case, the "Stewpot Crew," consisting this month of Betty Golding, Huey Mitchell and Bob Winters, met at the Salvation Army kitchen on Thursday, July 22nd and served lunch. Those are the facts, ma'am. Another fact: we'll do it again in September on Thursday, the 23rd. Join us! We have a good time - and Bob says it gives him an opportunity to do something useful - for a change. (And any chance for Bob to do something useful should be encouraged. - Ed.) Board Meeting ... continued from page 1 He reminded the group that there could be outstanding expenses, so Ellen moved that the $1,769 surplus minus any unpaid bills be included in the opportunity fund. Jay seconded and the motion passed. HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Beth McCann 8/5 Clyde Clubb 8/6 Sharon Bolls 8/13 Danny Presson 8/18 Jerry Kircus 8/19 Al Hummadi 8/20 Anne Semrau 8/31 Love, Compassion, and Tolerance by His Holiness the Dalai Lama The essence of all religions is love, compassion, and tolerance. Kindness is my true religion. No matter whether you are learned or not, whether you believe in the next life or not, whether you believe in God or Buddha or some other religion or not, in day-to-day life you must be a kind person. When you are motivated by kindness, it doesn't matter whether you are a practitioner, a lawyer, a politician, an administrator, a worker, or an engineer: whatever your profession or field, deep down you are a kind person. Love, compassion, and tolerance are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it if you have love, compassion, and tolerance. The clear proof of a person's love of God is if that person genuinely shows love to fellow human beings. Excerpted from For the Love of God, Handbook for the Spirit Edited by Benjamin Shield and Richard Carlson.
, I see Boy Scouts Page 4
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