Eye on Faith

Saturday, January 6, 2018

The human body: What a gift!

(Photo by TheNoseKnows2Much)

Where would you be without your body? That is a question for religion.

In the meantime, psychologists suggest appreciating the one you have. Rather than ogling legs that walk red carpets, thank the ones that walk you to the corner store. While you’re at it, thank the eyes that view sunsets, the ears that hear music, the nose that sniffs flowers and the tongue that tastes pizza.

“But,” you say, “I wish that my legs were longer, my eyes bluer, my ears smaller and my nose shorter.” Why is it that we tend to focus on body parts we don’t like? Why don’t we instead proclaim, “My waist rivals Scarlett O’Hara’s and my curves Kim Kardashian's" (assuming they do)?

Reincarnation theory states that it takes oodles of time and effort to earn the human body. Why not give thanks for each and every part that is working so hard to see you through?

Resources

http://www.healthbanks.com/PatientPortal/MyPractice.aspx?UAID={3832435F-CB0D-493C-AEB1-E9AF6161A975}&TabID={X}&ArticleID=729634

Friday, January 5, 2018

Here's how to handle religious jabs

Chelsea Clinton (Photo by Al Shaker/VOA)

If someone who knows little to nothing about your religious beliefs makes petty accusations, take a cue from Chelsea Clinton and handle it graciously.

When a Twitter user recently accused Clinton of practicing Satanism, Chelsea replied: Oh goodness gracious. We can be civil, cheerful, respectful to & friends with people who don’t share our religious beliefs. Sometimes, we even marry them. I’m a Methodist & my husband is Jewish, thank you for asking. A very happy New Year to you Rhonda!

Rhonda's finger-pointing was based upon a brief exchange of goodwill that Clinton had with some Church of Satan members. Would it have been better if Chelsea had spewed hatred toward them? The Rhondas of this world have done that for centuries, and it hasn’t made this world a better place.

Nor has it saved so-called Christian souls. “Love one another” has long been a core tenet of Christianity.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/chelsea-clinton-denies-worshipping-satan/ar-BBHQjuv?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Riddled with Assumptions

The Riddler (Image by Leopoldo Aurioles)

First-graders are usually associated with lighthearted games. Yet philosophers among them can be surprisingly profound.

When presented with a banal riddle, one young student gave it a somber twist. The question read: I am the beginning of everything, the end of everywhere. I’m the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. What am I?

Although the official answer is “the letter e,” this student said, “Death.” Classmates then added the following: not everything, all stuff, the end, and nothingthing.

Twitter-minded adults have been debating these replies ever since. When one wondered “how death is the beginning of everything,” 145 others offered sure-fire theories.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/first-grader%e2%80%99s-somber-response-to-a-class-puzzle-has-the-internet-questioning-life/ar-BBHRR07