A homossexualidade por Chico Xavier e Divaldo Franco

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 28, 2013

Giving Thanks

Gratitude, the simple and profound feeling of being thankful, is the foundation of all generosity. I am generous when I believe that right now, right here, in this form and this place, I am myself being given what I need. Generosity requires that we relinquish something, and this is impossible if we are not glad for what we have.

- Sallie Jiko Tisdale, “As If There is Nothing to Lose”

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Via JMG: BRITAIN: Supreme Court Rules Against Anti-Gay Bed & Breakfast Owners

Britain's Supreme Court has ruled against the owners of a bed & breakfast who were fined after refusing to rent a room to a gay couple.

Hazelmary and Peter Bull refused to let civil partners Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall stay in a double room at Chymorvah House in Marazion in Cornwall in 2008. The couple, who had already lost cases at Bristol County Court and the Court of Appeal, said they were "saddened". Mr and Mrs Bull have said they regard any sex outside marriage as a "sin". The Bulls denied discriminating against Mr Hall and Mr Preddy, who are from Bristol. Sixty-nine-year-old Mrs Bull and her 74-year-old husband said their decision was founded on a "religiously-informed judgment of conscience". Five Supreme Court justices ruled against them on Wednesday after analysing the case at a hearing in London in October.

In September the Bulls announced that they were closing their inn due to a plummeting occupancy rate. (Tipped by JMG reader Paolo)

Labels: Britain, hotels, public accommodations, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: KENTUCKY: Gay Couple Fined One Cent For Trespassing During Marriage Protest

A Louisville, Kentucky gay couple has been found guilty of trespassing for refusing to leave the county clerk's office after being denied a marriage license. But the sympathetic jury fined them only one penny.

After three hours of testimony in which their lawyers hailed them for their civil disobedience, while the prosecution urged jurors to stick to the facts, Blanchard and James were convicted Tuesday of trespassing — but fined only a penny. Blanchard called the penalty a vindication of their protest in support of same-sex marriage. “It shows they understood what we were doing,” he said after jurors returned their verdict following 90 minutes of deliberations.
James’ lawyer, Annie O’Connell, said the fine may have been the smallest ever imposed in a criminal trial in Kentucky. Blanchard’s counsel, Ted Shouse, said in court that he had never tried a case in which the maximum penalty — $250 — “was so low and the stakes were so high.” Jessie Halladay, a spokeswoman for the county attorney’s office, said after the verdict that prosecutors had no choice but to take the case to trial. “We respect the right of the defendants to protest, but we also respect the law, and the law doesn’t distinguish what causes are worth breaking the law for,” she said.

The jury had sent the a judge a note asking if they could convict but impose no fine at all. The judge responded that some fine was mandated by the law. The judge then waived the one penny fine and all court costs. Bonus nicety: The arresting officer testified that he had shaken the couple's hands before taking them into custody. (Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

Labels: activism, Kentucky, marriage equality

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Corte inglesa decide que fé não justifica discriminação

A Suprema Corte do Reino Unido desenhou limites para a liberdade de religião nesta quarta-feira (27/11). O tribunal decidiu que o direito de exercer a própria fé não autoriza ninguém a discriminar outras pessoas. Os juízes consideraram que os donos de uma pousada violaram a legislação britânica ao negar que dois homens gays dormissem num quarto com cama de casal.
 
A corte analisou o apelo do casal Hazelmary e Peter Bull, que mantêm uma pousada numa cidade litorânea na região da Cornualha, costa oeste da Inglaterra. Os dois são cristãos e afirmam procurar, tanto na vida pessoal como profissional, seguir os ensinamentos da Bíblia. Um deles é o de que sexo só pode ser feito dentro do casamento, que é a união entre um homem e uma mulher. Caso contrário, é pecado. E, para evitar que seus hóspedes pequem, o casal impede que duas pessoas que não são casadas durmam em quartos com uma cama de casal.

A política cristã na pousada não parecia causar muito problema com os hóspedes, até que, em setembro de 2008, Martyn Hall e Steven Preddy resolveram se hospedar lá. Os dois são homens, homossexuais e vivem em união civil. Resolveram aproveitar os últimos dias quentes da Inglaterra na Cornualha e pediram para ficar num quarto com uma cama de casal, como fazem os casais. Não conseguiram. Os donos da pousada negaram dizendo que sexo fora do casamento é pecado e, como os dois homens não eram casados, não poderiam dormir juntos.

A briga foi parar na Justiça. Os donos da pousada perderam em todas as instâncias e, agora com a decisão da Suprema Corte, terão de pagar indenização para Hall e Preddy. A Suprema Corte considerou que a política mantida pela pousada, um estabelecimento voltado a atender ao público, é discriminatória. A legislação britânica estabelece que as uniões civis e os casamentos têm os mesmos direitos e deveres e devem ser tratados da mesma maneira.

A maioria dos juízes considerou que, já que o casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo só passou a ser permitido neste ano, a negativa de cama de casal para pessoas não casadas é também baseada na opção sexual. Ainda mais se considerado que a visão cristã de casamento é o relacionamento entre um homem e uma mulher.

Os juízes explicaram que a decisão não significa, no entanto, que a liberdade sexual se sobrepõe à liberdade de religião. Se os donos do hotel tivessem negado estadia a possíveis hóspedes por discordar das suas crenças religiosas, a corte também consideraria que houve discriminação indevida.

A Suprema Corte explicou que a liberdade religiosa, direito garantido na Convenção Europeia de Direitos Humanos, não é absoluta. Ela pode ser limitada para proteger direitos alheios.

O casamento civil e religioso entre pessoas do mesmo sexo foi autorizado no Reino Unido em julho deste ano, depois que lei sobre o assunto foi aprovada no Parlamento britânico. A norma deixou a cargo das igrejas decidirem se aceitam casar gays ou não. A previsão é de que os primeiros casamentos entre homossexuais sejam celebrados no meio do ano que vem, já que a nova lei precisa de regulamentação antes de ser posta em prática.

Atualmente, no continente europeu, dez países permitem que os gays se casem. São eles: Bélgica, Dinamarca, França, Islândia, Holanda, Noruega, Portugal, Espanha, Suécia e Inglaterra. A Escócia deve ser o próximo a autorizar o matrimônio entre duas pessoas do mesmo sexo. Na Irlanda, um dos países mais católicos e conservadores da Europa, o governo já anunciou que deve fazer um plebiscito em 2015 para ouvir a população sobre o assunto.

Já a união civil entre gays é mais aceita no continente. Além dos que permitem o casamento, outros 16 países reconhecem a união estável entre duas pessoas do mesmo sexo. Entre esses, apenas três — República Tcheca, Hungria e Eslovênia — são do Leste Europeu, onde os direitos dos homossexuais ainda são pouco reconhecidos.

Clique aqui para ler a decisão em inglês.

Via JMG: Texas Caves On National Guard

Via press release from Lambda Legal:

After increasing pressure to follow U.S. Department of Defense guidelines, the Texas Military Forces today allowed Lambda Legal's client, Alicia Butler the wife of 1st Lt. Judith Chedville to register for federal military benefits at Camp Mabry. "We are thrilled for Alicia and Judith who just wanted to take steps, like all military families, to access critical support networks and benefits provided to families of servicemembers," Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Paul Castillo said. "Texas Military Forces implements a host of federal benefits programs for all National Guard units in the state and it should be no different for married same-sex couples."
In September, Lambda Legal submitted a letter urging the commanding officer of the Texas Military Forces to abide by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines and allow married same-sex military couples to register for federal benefits at any military base in the state. Since that first contact, Lambda Legal has engaged in continued aggressive advocacy at all levels to urge this result. I am so pleased to have this spousal ID card and begin to access a range of benefits," Butler said. "My wife served our country and our family needs support like all military families."

The American Military Partner Association reacts:

“We applaud the Texas Military Forces for changing course and the Department of Defense for making sure this issue is resolved in Texas," said Stephen Peters, president of AMPA. "All military spouses, regardless of orientation or gender, deserve to treated with the same dignity, respect, and support for their sacrifices in support of our nation, no matter what state they serve in. We urge the remaining states who have not yet complied with Department of Defense policy to do so quickly and affirm their commitment to all military families."

Labels: gay soldiers, military, National Guard, Texas

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 27, 2013

Concern for Others

For modern Buddhists, the world shows us daily that our own awareness cannot thrive indifferent to what is happening to the awareness of others. As the old sociological paradox puts it, people create society, but society also creates people. Our economic and political systems are not spiritually neutral; they inculcate certain values and discourage others. As our awareness becomes more liberated, we become more aware of the suffering of others, and of the social forces that aggravate or decrease suffering.

- David Loy, "Why Buddhism Needs the West"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 28, 2013
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 26, 2013

How to Be

Dogen said: ‘Directly upon encountering the dharma, we will abandon the law of the world.’ In other words, once we discover the true order behind the appearance of things, our lives will no longer be dominated by the conventional values of society—the seeking to outshine, outrace, outgain.

- Henry Shukman, "How to Be in the World"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 27, 2013
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JMG Quote Of The Day - Tom Comstock

"I told God, if he's going to save me from death from this and he doesn't send me a boyfriend, I'm going to call a party foul." - Portland resident Tom Comstock, after pieces of lumber speared the cabin of his SUV when he was rear-ended during rush hour traffic. Emergency room doctors gave him a tetanus shot and told him to go buy a lottery ticket. KATU-TV has video and more photos at the link. (Tipped by JMG reader Bobby)

Labels: bears, cars, Oregon, traffic

Reposted from Joe Jervis

The Most Powerful Video on Spirituality and Happiness - Rare Eckhart Tolle Teaching - Must See

Bill Maher New Rules - Kennedy was cooler than Reagan

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 25, 2013

What the Buddha Never Said

When the Buddha speaks, it is said, he always intends his words to lead to the welfare and happiness of the hearers. But his words are not always tied to the theme of “suffering and its cessation.” To insist on confining them to this topic is to drastically narrow the range of the dharma.

- Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, "'I Teach Only Suffering and the End of Suffering'"

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Via Being Liberal / FB:

Via Lady Liberals / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 24, 2013

How to Become Lucid

If you’ve ever had a lucid dream before, you may have an idea how this unique state of awareness can open up incredible opportunities for discovery, healing, and growth. The idea is not new: Tibetan Buddhists have practiced lucid dreaming for at least a thousand years, referring to it as dream yoga. Dreams often act like mirrors, presenting you with a reflection of yourself. By becoming conscious in your unconscious, you’re able to explore and deepen the connection to your own inner world.

- Dylan Tuccillo, Jared Zeizel, and Thomas Peisel, "Taking Flight"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 25, 2013
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His Holiness the Karmapa: The Technology of the Heart

Hmmmm... but it does exist... click below:

http://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_the_karmapa_the_technology_of_the_heart.html

The Heart Is Noble: The Moon

Lua Cheia - Ouro Preto, MG - Nov 16, 2013 / Daniel C. Orey

I want to share with you a feeling I have. I feel that my love does not have to remain within the limitations of my own life or body. I imagine that if I am no longer in the world, my love could still be present. I want to place my love on the moon and let the moon hold my love. Let the moon be the keeper of my love, offering it to everyone just as the moon sends its light to embrace the whole earth. 

- The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out by Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient - Tam O'Shaugnessy on Behalf of Sally Ride

Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 23, 2013

Freedom and Choice

Most people equate choice and freedom. It seems so reasonable. Freedom means you are free to choose, right? It means you are free from restrictions. If you can’t choose, then you are not free. And it would seem to follow that the more choice you have, the more freedom you have. But it doesn’t work out that way.

- Ken McLeod, "Freedom and Choice"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 24, 2013
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