Via Give a Damn Campaign / FB:

Via JMG: Nielsen: Gays Shop & Spend More

Nielsen has come to the shocking conclusion that gay men go shopping a lot.

American same-sex partnered households have significant spending power. In fact, same-sex partnered households make 16 percent more shopping trips than the average U.S. household each year (173 average shopping trips vs. 149 average shopping trips for total U.S. households), according to a recent Nielsen report measuring the shopping habits of U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) households. The additional shopping trips translate into a marked difference in total spending on consumer packaged goods (CPG). Same-sex partnered households spend an average of $8,651 each year on CPG, compared with $6,898 for the average U.S. household. Within the LGBT community, male same-sex partnered households shop more frequently than female same-sex households (182 trips vs. 163 trips), raising male same-sex household annual CPG spending to $8,943—nearly 30 percent higher than the average U.S. household.

But the below chart that compares where gay men and lesbians exceed the national purchasing average is more interesting, yes?  The linked article doesn't make it clear, but one presumes the overall average for each of the below categories is 100.

(Tipped by JMG reader Thomas)

Labels: LGBT culture, Nielsen, retail

Reposted from Joe

Via FB

Via JMG: Syron: Here (Official Music Video)

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	There are thousands upon thousands of students who have practiced meditation and obtained its fruits. Do not doubt its possibilities because of the simplicity of the method. If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? - The Practice of Meditation, Zen Master Dogen More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 31, 2013

Mature Wisdom

The test of how far your wisdom has matured lies in the strategic skill with which you can keep yourself from doing things that you like to do but that would cause long-term harm, and the skill with which you can talk yourself into doing things that you don’t like to do but that would lead to long-term well-being and happiness. In other words, mature wisdom requires a mature ego.

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Hang On to Your Ego”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through February 1st, 2013
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Via JMG: Conference Of Catholic Bishops Files SCOTUS Briefs On DOMA & Prop 8

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops today filed Supreme Court briefs against the overturn of DOMA and Proposition 8.
From their DOMA brief:

The USCCB brief in United States v. Windsor says that “there is no fundamental right to marry a person of the same sex.” The brief also states that “as defined by courts ‘sexual orientation’ is not a classification that should trigger heightened scrutiny,” such as race or ethnicity would. It added that “civil recognition of same-sex relationships is not deeply rooted in the Nation’s history and tradition—quite the opposite is true. Nor can the treatment of such relationships as marriages be said to be implicit in the concept of ordered liberty, such that neither liberty nor justice would exist if they were sacrificed.” USCCB argued that previous Supreme Court decisions “describing marriage as a fundamental right plainly contemplate the union of one man and one woman.” The USCCB also cautioned that a decision invalidating DOMA “would have adverse consequences in other areas of law.”

From their Proposition 8 brief:

“While this Court has held that laws forbidding private, consensual, homosexual conduct between adults lack a rational basis, it does not follow that the government has a constitutional duty to encourage or endorse such conduct. Thus, governments may legitimately decide to further the interests of opposite-sex unions only. Similarly, minimum standards of rationality under the Constitution do not require adopting the lower court’s incoherent definition of ‘marriage’ as merely a ‘committed lifelong relationship,’ which is wildly over-inclusive, empties the term of its meaning, and leads to absurd results.” “Marriage, understood as the union of one man and one woman, is not an historical relic, but a vital and foundational institution of civil society today,” the USCCB brief states.

(Via Zack Ford @ Think Progress)

Labels: Catholic Church, child abuse, cults, DOMA, marriage equality, molestation, Proposition 8, SCOTUS, UCCB, Vatican

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Super Gay Bet: Blade Vs B.A.R.

From Washington Blade reporter Phil Reese:

Editors and publishers of the Washington Blade and the Bay Area Reporter, an LGBT newspaper in San Francisco, announced this week the terms of a bet for their respective teams playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl championship in New Orleans. If the Ravens win, BAR will send the Blade staff a lunch of dungeness crabs and a $1,000 donation to the local LGBT charity of the Blade’s choosing. If the 49ers win, the Blade will send BAR’s staff a lunch of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and a $1,000 donation to a San Francisco LGBT charity of BAR’s choosing. “When Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2004, the Patriots won the Super Bowl. When New York legalized marriage in 2011, the Giants won the Super Bowl. In 2012, Maryland passed marriage equality, so it’s our turn,” said Blade editor Kevin Naff, who lives in Baltimore. “Go Ravens!”

I suppose it should be pointed out that DC legalized same-sex marriage in 2009 and that the Redskins finished last in their division that year, having won only four games all season. Yes, I had look that up. Go sportsball! Go local/regional team! I like the ones in the aubergine blouses!

Labels: Bay Area Reporter, Super Bowl, Washington Blade

Reposted from Joe

Via Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center / FB:

‎"Happiness arises as a result of different causes and conditions. If you harm someone out of anger, you may feel some superficial satisfaction, but deep down you know it was wrong. Your confidence will be undermined. However, if you have an altruistic attitude, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in the presence of others."    - His Holiness, the Dalai Lama

Via 2012 Healing the Planet 2012 / FB:

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

 Image source : www.facebook.com/DalaiLama

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Regard him as one who points out treasure, the wise one who seeing your faults rebukes you. Stay with this sort of sage. For the one who stays with a sage of this sort, things get better, not worse. - Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 30, 2013

Unraveling Desire

The truth is that we like our preferences and prejudices, we like defining ourselves in terms of what we like and don’t like. It is precisely desire’s entanglement with the sense of self that makes this all so difficult to unravel. Fortunately, there is a relatively easy and accessible way to counter the powerful forces of desire: the cultivation of equanimity. Every moment of mindfulness is also a moment of equanimity.

- Andrew Olendzki, "The Buddha's Smile"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 31st, 2013
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How Does Captain America Feel About Gay Marriage?

Chris Evans is Captain America. In real life, his brother is gay. He's not ashamed of his brother. But he is ashamed of America. When the guy who literally wears the American flag on his sleeve is ashamed of his own country, it's time for things to change.

 

Share this if you think he's right about where we'll be in 10 years. 

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The mind is like the wick of a lamp illumined only through its own radiance. - Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 29, 2013

Understanding and Respect

Learning about other faiths helps us to understand, and to live side by side with, differing views and belief systems. To remain in one tradition without absorbing the benefits of the others seems disrespectful to the gifts that the Buddha passed down to us. Only through mutual understanding and respect can we successfully implement what the Buddha taught.

- Scott Hunt, “Scott Hunt’s Seaworthy Dream In Two Parts”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 30th, 2013
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Via JMG: HRC Launches New Coalition: Businesses For The Repeal Of DOMA

The Human Rights Campaign today announced a new coalition of corporations that is endorsing the Respect For Marriage Act, which would legislatively repeal DOMA.

The Business Coalition for DOMA Repeal is a group of leading U.S. employers that support legislative efforts to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act through the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. These Coalition members recognize that DOMA is bad for business and have pledged their support for RMA, which restores the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples – to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.

Among the first companies to join the coalition are A|X Armani Exchange, Aetna Inc., Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Diageo North America, eBay, Electronic Arts, Kimpton Hotels, Marriott International, Massachusetts Mutual Life, Replacements, Ltd., Sun Life Financial, and Thomson Reuters.

Labels: activism, business, Congress, DOMA, HRC, marriage equality, Respect For Marriage Act

Reposted from Joe

Via O Bosque de Berkana / FB:

''O prazer é sempre derivado de algo fora de você, enquanto que a alegria surge de dentro. O passado não tem poder sobre o momento presente. Você não pode encontrar-se, indo para o passado. Você pode encontrar a si mesmo, vindo para o presente.

 

Perceba profundamente que o momento presente é tudo o que você tem. Faça do Agora o foco principal da sua vida.''

Eckhart Tolle
Localização - Sorrento: Valle dei Mulini (Sorrento,Campania,Italy) —

 

God's Perfect Plan

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Everywhere, truly, those of integrity stand apart. They, the good, don't chatter in hopes of favor or gains. When touched now by pleasure, now pain, the wise give no sign of high or low. - Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

Statue of Buddha at Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Cambodia (January 2005).

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 28, 2013

The Tyranny of Reaction

When you aren’t run by reactions, you see things more clearly, and there is usually only one, possibly two courses of action that are actually viable. Freedom from the tyranny of reaction leads to a way of experiencing life that leaves you with little else to do but take the direction that life offers you in each moment.

- Ken McLeod, “Freedom and Choice”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 29th, 2013
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Via Eden Movement/FB: Max Ehrmann, Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life

Eden Movement

Love, here I come.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love – for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment is it perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you from misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life
Post by Ryan Matthew Stephan

~Rebeccah

Via Global Awakening / FB:

 

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. ~Buddha

Via 2012 Healing the Planet 2012 / FB:

 
The darkness of ages cannot shroud
the glowing sun;
The long eons of Samsara (world) never can hide the Mind’s brilliant Light. 

-Tilopa, The Song of Mahamudra

~ Traditional Buddhist teaching ~

2012 Healing the Planet 2012

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 27, 2013

Deeper into Practice

Many people are doing shamata meditation. This is a kind of resting meditation, also called 'calm abiding.' This is good, but in Buddhist training you must go deeper than this. It is important to go deeper into emptiness—not nothingness, but into understanding emptiness as the nature of mind. This is where wisdom and compassion come from.

- Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, "Trust Through Reason"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 28th, 2013
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Via JMG: Headline Of The Day

 

Last week NOM was all over the hate web trumpeting an unsourced poll which claimed that French support for same-sex marriage had "plummeted." Not according to a poll released today.

Labels: France, marriage equality, NOM, polls

Reposted from Joe

Via The Idealist / FB:

Via ॐ Blue Buddha Quote Collective / FBP:

‎"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.
The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict."

~ William Ellery Channing

Via The Peoples Boycott / FB:

Subject: If I were Bahá'í !

Subject: If I were Bahá'í !

"If I were Bahá'í!" is Tarek Heggy's newest addition to his series of articles entitled " If I were ...!  Google search-engine would provide access to some of the earlier pieces of this series, such as "If I were an Egyptian Copt", "If I were a Saudi Shiite!", "If I were a Syrian Kurd!". The publication of "If I were an Egyptian Nubian!" is eminent. Defending the rights of minorities and religious freedoms represent an essential corner-stone of Tarek Heggy's writings, together with advocating the basic values of modernity : plurality, otherness, women rights,  freedom of speech, critical mind, relativity, civil & secular state ....etc. According to Tarek Heggy, the top enemies of such values are totalitarian dogmas such as Marxism, Islamism and any religion when it endeavours to run societies.

---------------------------------------

If I were Bahá'í ! by : Tarek Heggy.

-------------------
* If I were Bahá'í: I would have informed the world of the systematic plan to eliminate all trace of the Bahá'í Faith and the Bahá'ís from Egypt.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have brought to the attention of all the great personalities and the intellectuals of the world the respect and regard with which their peers in Egypt received 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Son of Bahá'u'lláh) during His visit to this country in the early 20th. Century, and with what filth and disregard today's pretentious personalities and false intellectuals of Egypt smear the fair name of Bahá'í and the Bahá'ís.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the Al Azhar Establishment and say to its honourable Ulamá: How could you decide today that Bahá'í is not a religion when the Superior Shar'ia Tribunal of Beba/Souhag ruled in 1925 that "Bahá'í is an independent religion."

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the Al Azhar Establishment which with all the mosques, mesdjids and kettab schools at their disposal in Egypt, have found it necessary to disown the Bahá'í Community of their main centre building to use it for a Qur'ánic school.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the imprisonment of some 92 Bahá'ís - men and women - aged between 2 and 80 years. They were arrested between midnight and dawn from all over Egypt and transfered to jail in Tanta; then falsely accused of treason, misconduct and espionage, far and wide in  the media, for no other reason than because they are Bahá'í.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the frequent arrest of Bahá'ís, men and women, their incarceration in jail for days, weeks or months for interrogation. The courts have never found them guilty of neither crime nor fault, but they were Bahá'í.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Art in the west and in the east, to the case of one of the greatest and most admired artists of Egypt, Hussein Bikar, who was arrested in his home and driven to jail with other renowned Bahá'ís for days of interrogation regarding his and their Bahá'í Faith.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Art in the west and in the east, and would say to them: Hussein Bikar, one of the greatest and most admired Artists of Egypt had no Identity card at his death at almost 90 years of age. The Egyptian Authorities refused to issue one with "Bahá'í" mentioned in the space for religion.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: Imagine that in Egypt of the 21st. Century, individual Identity cards have to include the binding indication of the religion of the individual?

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: Imagine that in Egypt of the 21st. Century, individual Identity cards must include the binding indication of one of only three religions notwithstanding the individual's wish or faith ?

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: In Egypt of the 21st. Century, the sons and daughters of Bahá'ís are issued individual Identity cards with a dash (--) for religion while their parents are refused identity cards: WHY ? Because the Egyptian State does not recognize Bahá'í marriage!

O people of the world: come and take stock of administrative excellence!

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness all the Ministers of Education of the world and informed them that: The Minister of Education of Egypt has declared that he will refuse admittance of children - yes children! of Bahá'ís to the government schools because the children are Bahá'í!

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have informed the world that the new Egyptian Constitution contains the necessary elements for the elimination of the Bahá'í minority in Egypt.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have informed the world that burning the homes of Bahá'ís takes place with impunity in Egypt.

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Mass Media,  of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and informed them that in Egypt, inciting to kill Bahá'ís, through TV and speeches is normal and is done with impunity!

In spite of all this:

* If I were Bahá'í: I would have said to those in authority in Egypt: I am loyal to my country, I love my country, I strive for the success and progress of my country and I consider the children of my neighbours as my children without consideration of religion or creed. How wonderful would Egypt be were you, who are in authority, to follow in this same path.

------------------------------------------------------------
 

For more of Tarek Heggy's writings in English :

(1) http://www.muslimsdebate.com/tarekheggy/   +
(2) http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/biography/Tarek+Heggy  +
(3) http://www.tarek-heggy.com/English-essays-main.htm  +
(4)
https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=mw#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=1&gs_ri=hp&tok=pvdU8ZiZJqsBdJbU0LrqdQ&cp=3&gs_id=7z&xhr=t&q=tarek+heggy&es_nrs=true&pf=p&safe=off&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=tar&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.d2k&fp=70ef86a6dff53ff5&biw=1600&bih=773
(5)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=tarek+heggy&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=17221707590&hvpos=1t1&hvexid&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1476966477582350208&hvpone&hvptwo&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_13fc3yrvzi_e

URL to archives is http://listserv.buffalo.edu/archives/tarikh-list.html

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 26, 2013

Helping Each Other Through

History's accelerating like technology's accelerated. Can't go back. We can blow the whole show up. Or we can calm fear, see the world is really changing, like a dream, & go explore & help each other through. It's all safe because as Einstein & the Buddhists secretly tipped everybody off long ago: the whole show is a harmless wave-illusion.

- Allen Ginsberg, “‘Letter to the Wall Street Journal,’ 1966”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 27th, 2013
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Via JMG: SCOTUS Asked Not To Rule On DOMA

SCOTUSblog reports on the latest DOMA wrinkle:

The Supreme Court does not have the power to rule on the case the Justices have agreed to review on the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, a Harvard law professor argued in a brief filed Thursday evening. The professor, Vicki C. Jackson, also argued against letting the Republican members of the House of Representatives’ leadership defend DOMA’s validity, saying they do not speak for Congress, or even for the House.
If the Court accepts this advice, it probably would miss its chance to rule during the current Term on DOMA’s Section 3, which defines marriage for all federal purposes as the union of one man and one woman. It has been challenged by same-sex couples who are legally married, as they seek the federal benefits at issue. There is not time, in the remaining months of the Term (unless the Court would really rush things), for review of another DOMA case, even though others are pending.
The Court on December 7 agreed to review the constitutionality of Section 3 in the case of United States v. Windsor (docket 12-307). At the same time, however, it added questions about its authority to do so and then invited Professor Jackson to argue two points: One, whether the Obama administration can appeal a case that it won in a lower court (it believes DOMA is unconstitutional, and the lower court ruled that way). And, two, whether the House’s three GOP leaders could satisfy the Constitution’s Article III requirement that they have a legal right to be DOMA’s defenders in court.

Chris Geidner has more analysis at Buzzfeed:

In discussing why the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group — the 3-2 Republican majority of which voted to take up the defense of DOMA after the administration's 2011 decision to stop defending the law — does not have the authority, or standing, to be there, Jackson argued: "It is the Executive Branch, not Congress, that is obligated to "take Care" that laws are enforced. Moreover, any injury that might arise from nondefense of a law would be to the whole Congress, which one House cannot alone assert." The Supreme Court appointed Jackson to argue these positions because, presumably, the justices decided they wanted a view outside of the views presented before lower courts on these questions. By the terms of that appointment, then, it was expected that Jackson would be arguing these views.

Labels: DOMA, Edith Windsor, feds, SCOTUS

Reposted from Joe

Via The Other 98% / FB:

Via JMG: $3M In GOP DOMA Dough Could Buy...

Source.

Labels: bigotry, DOMA, GOP, U.S. House

Reposted from Joe

President Obama's message to the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change

NBA Star Kenneth Faried "No One Can Tell Me I Can't Have Two Mothers

Via Gay Poltics Report:

U.S. could fall behind as Latin America races toward LGBT equality
 
J. Lester Feder details a "striking" advance in LGBT equality across Latin America, where Argentina allows same-sex couples to marry, and Chile has passed an LGBT non-discrimination law. The U.S. Supreme Court justices who will decide two landmark marriage cases this year "will be deciding whether the United States will fall behind as its neighbors establish a new standard of human rights, or whether it will join a revolution that is well underway," Feder writes. ForeignPolicy.com (1/24)     

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Let us not talk of karma, but simply of responsibility toward the whole world. - His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 25, 2013

Seeing Through Self

When we question ego-mind directly, it is exposed for what it is: the absence of everything we believe it to be. We can actually see through this seemingly solid ego-mind, or self. But what are we left with then? We are left with an open, intelligent awareness, unfettered by a self to cherish or protect. This is the primordial wisdom mind of all beings. Relaxing into this discovery is true meditation—and true meditation brings ultimate realization and freedom from suffering.

- Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche, "Searching for Self"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 26th, 2013
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Via Scott Schuele: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People ?

 

One of the questions I get asked most is why do bad things happen to some very good people and why do some very bad people seem to have it so good? The answer is two sides of the same coin, karma. 
However, it is far from being simple in no small part to our attachment to dualistic thinking, meaning everything is black or white. Understanding the following three elements in itself explains much of why and how all situations happen.

Every situation, event and our everyday experiences are all caused and created by our karma, which has a continuum of four parts. Each part can be positive , neutral, negative , and or somewhat in between. These four parts determine the overall karma generated by any specific action: A.) What you were thinking before you committed an action, B.) The action itself, C.) What you were thinking while you committed the action. D.) What you were thinking after you committed the action. For example, you decide that you are going to give money to a charity. Your motivation is that by giving you are going to get special attention and praise. That is not generating very positive karma. You give the money, which does generate positive karma. While giving you are day dreaming about the praise you are going to get, again not very positive karma is a being generated. After you give the money and you don’t get the praise you expected, you become very angry which generates very negative karma. So when you examine all these components you might have been better off not giving anything at all. While this qualifies for a discussion all on it’s own every thought we think regardless of any action taken generates karma to a certain degree as well. The reason I am giving this discourse is to demonstrate just how difficult it is to try and pinpoint some action as being either just good or bad ; dualistic thinking. Great teachers like Shantideva said, “the way karma works is beyond comprehension, only the all knowing, (enlightened) knows.”

Make the jump here to rest of the article

Via Huffington: Common Misconceptions About Religion

Being misunderstood is no fun in any context but when it is about something so personally meaningful as religion or non-religion, it can be infuriating.

Check out some of the answers here and add your own below in the comments section.

1. Belief does not equal faith.
2. Atheists are not anti-religion.
3. All Christians are like not like ones you see on T.V.
4. Atheism and Agnosticism are not mutually exclusive.
5. People who believe in God are not less intelligent.
6. Episcopalians are not all white, rich and privileged.
7. Non-theists are not evil.
8. The Buddha is not a diety.
9. Being Christian does not mean anti-science.
10. Lutherans are not all German.
11. Muslims are not terrorists.
12. The Pope is fallible.
13. All priests are not pedophiles.
14. Some Catholics are pro-choice.
15. Predestination is a thing of the past.
16. Buddhism isn’t a pessimistic philosophy.
17. Christianity is not about Christians. Christianity is about Jesus Christ.
18. Humanist is not the same as Atheist.
19. Catholics do not worship Mary and the Pope.
20. Christians are not perfect and they don’t have perfect lives.
21. Muslims are unimaginable diverse.
22. Baptists can be people who drink and dance.
23. You don’t have to be baptized in water to be saved.
24. Wiccans do not worship Satan.
25. People choose to do evil in ALL religious groups. Neopaganism does not have any more or less "evil" participants than any other belief system.
26. Islam does not oppress women.
27. Salvation is not about getting into Heaven.
28. All Jewish people are not rich.
29. All non-believers are not lost and angry.
30. Muslim women are not uneducated.
31. It’s the trinity Jehovah witnesses don’t believe in. Not Jesus.
32. Atheists can experience wonder.
33. Religious people are not better than anyone else.
34. Judaism is a religion of both law and love.
35. All Christians are not anti-gay.
36. Atheists are not "angry at God".
37. Allah is not different from God.
38. Unitarian Universalists do not believe anything they want. They have seven solid principles.
39. Not all Christians read the word of God literally as fact.
40. Not all Mormons are brain washed and believe the same thing.
41. People who don’t believe in any religion don’t lack morals.
42. There isn’t just one “true” Christianity.
43. Mormons are not polygamists.
44. Not all people who say they are following God actually are.
45. Neopagans are not Satanists.

 Make the jump here to read the full post

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The mind is something more radiant than anything else can be, but because counterfeits--passing defilements--come and obscure it, it loses its radiance, like the sun when obscured by clouds. Don't go thinking that the sun goes after the clouds. Instead, the clouds come drifting along and obscure the sun. - Ajaan Mun, "Heart Released" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 24, 2013

The Possibility of Transformation

Only because of emptiness can things change and flow. Emptiness is not a vacuum, a black hole, but the possibility of endless transformations. There is no more grasping, or self-created barriers and limitations. The Buddha-nature can shine through and express itself fully.

- Martine Batchelor, “The Ten Oxherding Pictures”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 25th, 2013
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Via Loja Sobre Budismo / FB:

Jay-Z's Stunningly Down-To-Earth Take On Gay Marriage

Via Bay Area Reporter : NJ High School Senior Comes Out as Gay to His Entire Class, Gets Standing Ovation:

Towleroad today featured a great story. Read the story below. See the VIDEO at the the end of the story.

Our reader Scott sent us this clip of Jacob Rudolph, a high school senior in Parsippany, New Jersey, who came out to his entire class at their awards ceremony (Class Clown, Most Likely to Succeed, etc.).

Says Jacob in the clip, as he accepted the award for Best Actor (my transcript):

"Sure I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life. You see, I've been acting as someone I'm not. Most of you see me every day. You see me acting the part of 'straight' Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT. Unlike millions of other LGBT teens who have had to act every day to avoid verbal harassment and physical violence, I'm not going to do it anymore. It's time to end the hate in our society and accept the people for who they are regardless of their sex, race, orientation, or whatever else may be holding back love and friendship. So take me leave me or move me out of the way. Because I am what I am, and that's how I'm going to act from now on."

Writes Scott: "As I am a gay friend of his dad's, he sought out my advice before taking the plunge, but the decision was all his. The best part of the video is when he gets a standing ovation after he comes out. This is an amazingly courageous kid and I hope he gets the props he deserves."

VIDEO: http://youtu.be/-c4_anB-Vvk