Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Flower of the Day: 11/26/14
“Every
change has three phases: a death or deconstruction (an ending), a
neutral zone (a waiting period where nothing happens), and a
rebirth (the emergence of something new). Usually, the greatest
difficulty lies in this first phase because we have been conditioned to
believe that all deconstruction is negative – but this is not true. At
the deepest level, all deconstruction is positive, but it is always
painful. This is because human beings cling to everything, from
relationships, to work, to their house, to their children. The change
may only occur internally, such as a pattern that is being dissolved,
and if one is attached to this pattern, one will suffer.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
A Portal to Liberation | November 26, 2014
It is through the everydayness of. . . art that we are blessed to
experience the ordinary mind as a portal to transcendence and
liberation.
- Charles Johnson, "The Dharma and the Artist's Eye"
- Charles Johnson, "The Dharma and the Artist's Eye"
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Via New Civil Rights: New Study Shows Homosexuality 'Is An Essential Part Of Human Evolution'
Researchers at England's University of Portsmouth believe they have
found a scientific explanation for homosexuality and their theories
could even provide support for same-sex marriage as being completely
natural.
The scientists link the hormone progesterone, which is naturally-occurring in both men and women, to socialization and see it as a tool that "promotes bonding."
"The frequency of homoerotic behavior among individuals who do not identify as having an exclusively homosexual sexual orientation suggests that such behavior potentially has adaptive value," the researchers write.
"From an evolutionary perspective we tend to think of sexual behaviour as a means to an end for reproduction," Diana Fleischman, the study's lead author, states. "However, because sexual behaviour is intimate and pleasurable, it is also used in many species, including non-human primates, to help form and maintain social bonds. We can all see this in romantic couples who bond by engaging in sexual behaviour even when reproduction is not possible."
That sex is scientifically found to be not solely designed for reproduction debunks religious extremists' claims that man-woman marriage is the only "natural" marriage.
"To test whether homosexual behaviour really does go hand in hand with a need to form close bonds with others of the same sex, they decided to compare sexual behaviour with the level of a certain hormone in the blood," City AM reports.
Image via Flickr
Make the jump here to read the original and full article:
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/new_study_proves_evolution_supports_same_sex_marriage
The scientists link the hormone progesterone, which is naturally-occurring in both men and women, to socialization and see it as a tool that "promotes bonding."
"The frequency of homoerotic behavior among individuals who do not identify as having an exclusively homosexual sexual orientation suggests that such behavior potentially has adaptive value," the researchers write.
LOOK: Large Study Finds 'Pretty Good Indication' Of Genetic Link To HomosexualityAnd they seem to have found an evolutionary case that supports same-sex relationships and marriage, even finding them advantageous.
"From an evolutionary perspective we tend to think of sexual behaviour as a means to an end for reproduction," Diana Fleischman, the study's lead author, states. "However, because sexual behaviour is intimate and pleasurable, it is also used in many species, including non-human primates, to help form and maintain social bonds. We can all see this in romantic couples who bond by engaging in sexual behaviour even when reproduction is not possible."
That sex is scientifically found to be not solely designed for reproduction debunks religious extremists' claims that man-woman marriage is the only "natural" marriage.
"To test whether homosexual behaviour really does go hand in hand with a need to form close bonds with others of the same sex, they decided to compare sexual behaviour with the level of a certain hormone in the blood," City AM reports.
Progesterone is also known as a “social” hormone – it is produced mainly in the ovaries in women and in the adrenal glands in men, and encourages a person to engage with others in a positive way.Fleischman adds that "the research suggests that having exclusively heterosexual thoughts is a disadvantage – it’s better to be a little bit attracted to the opposite sex."
They asked a group of participants questions such as "The idea of kissing a person of the same sex is sexually arousing to me," and: "If someone of the same sex made a pass at me I would be disgusted”. They compared the answers to the level of progesterone in the blood.
The results, published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour, show that the people with higher levels of the hormone are indeed more inclined to have homoerotic thoughts.
Heterosexual men and women, for example, were more open to the idea of engaging in homosexual behaviour when progesterone was high. Men also produced more of the hormone and felt more homosexual if they were reminded of a societal need to be friendly with other males.
Image via Flickr
Make the jump here to read the original and full article:
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/new_study_proves_evolution_supports_same_sex_marriage
Via Zac / FB:
Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility,
injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in
appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention
on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him
do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some
benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and
reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light of divine guidance
will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for
love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is
darkness, no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That
the hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all
things may be disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and
ever.
-'Abdu'l-Baha
Flower of the Day: 11/25/14
“Trust
is one of the main virtues that needs to be developed on the spiritual
path. It is not possible to fabricate trust through the mind, just as
it’s not possible to fabricate steadiness, loyalty, humility,
forgiveness or gratitude. These virtues are the fruit of the tree of
consciousness. If you do not have a tree yet, or your tree has not yet
been able to bare fruit, don’t give up. Work towards amplifying your
perception through self-observation and spiritual practice. This is how
we expand our consciousness.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Realizing Guiltlessness | November 25, 2014
From the Buddhist point of view we can understand that all the
things we do to harm ourselves and others come from deep-rooted
confusions and ignorance but that the mind is by its very nature pure
and enlightened. When we feel a tremendous amount of guilt, we forget
this view.
- Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, "Realizing Guiltlessness"
Monday, November 24, 2014
Via JMG: Fischer is a Kidnapping Advocate
Labels: AFA, Arkansas, Christianists, Duggar Family, FRC, hate groups, Josh Duggar, kidnapping, LGBT rights, religion
Via JMG: The Legal Golden Ratio On Marriage
Via the New York Times:
The Constitution is not a math problem, but numbers can play a role in the Supreme Court’s calculations. When the court struck down bans on interracial marriage in 1967, such unions were still illegal in 16 states. When the court struck down laws making gay sex a crime in 2003, 13 states still had anti-sodomy measures. Should the court take up the question of same-sex marriage this term or next, as it seems likely to, the unions will be against the law in no more than 15 states. “The coincidence is hard to miss,” said Susan Sommer, a lawyer with Lambda Legal who has been litigating same-sex marriage cases for more than a decade. In a brief urging the Supreme Court to hear a same-sex marriage case from Ohio, lawyers for several couples recited the history and pushed the comparison. “The current landscape for marriage recognition for same-sex couples,” the brief said, “looks much the same as it did in 1967 for interracial couples and in 2003 for same-sex intimate partners.”The above-linked article notes that it was largely state legislatures, not courts, that had whittled down the number of bans on interracial marriage by the time the Supreme Court acted.
JMG HomoQuotable - Michael Sam
- Michael Sam, speaking to GQ Magazine.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Via Satipañña: 5 Ways for the Removal of Distracting Thought
Substitute: reflect on a different object,
which is connected with skill… Like an experienced carpenter or
carpenter’s apprentice, striking hard at, pushing out, and getting rid
of a coarse peg with a fine one, should the bhikkhu in order to get rid
of the adventitious object, reflect on a different object which is
connected with skill.
Reflect: ponder on the disadvantages of unskilful thoughts thus: Truly these thoughts of mine are unskilful, blameworthy, and productive of misery.
Ignore: endeavour to be without attention and reflection as regards them.
Remove the cause: one should reflect on the removal of the source of thoseunskilful thoughts.
Suppress: If evil, unskilful thoughts continue to arise in spite of reflection on the removal of a source of unskilful thoughts, one should with clenched teeth and the tongue pressing on the palate, restrain, and subdue the (evil) mind by the (good) mind. (Suppression used as a last resort so one does not act out one’ s anger/hatred)
http://satipanna.com/basics-of-buddhism/5-ways-for-the-removal-of-distracting-thought/
Reflect: ponder on the disadvantages of unskilful thoughts thus: Truly these thoughts of mine are unskilful, blameworthy, and productive of misery.
Ignore: endeavour to be without attention and reflection as regards them.
Remove the cause: one should reflect on the removal of the source of thoseunskilful thoughts.
Suppress: If evil, unskilful thoughts continue to arise in spite of reflection on the removal of a source of unskilful thoughts, one should with clenched teeth and the tongue pressing on the palate, restrain, and subdue the (evil) mind by the (good) mind. (Suppression used as a last resort so one does not act out one’ s anger/hatred)
http://satipanna.com/basics-of-buddhism/5-ways-for-the-removal-of-distracting-thought/
Via Satipañña: The Five Subjects for Daily Recollection
There are other recollections which one can make and which help
one to understand the human condition. People tend to be in denial
about decay, disease, and death while remaining greatly attached to
sentient beings and insentient objects. Some people try also to neglect
moral responsibility for their actions. The recollections below bring
these subjects to light and make us face them squarely.
Thus, the Buddha has said we should reflect daily upon these five recollections.
Thus, the Buddha has said we should reflect daily upon these five recollections.
- I am of the nature to age.
I have not gone beyond aging. - I am of the nature to sicken.
I have not gone beyond sickness. - I am of the nature to die.
I have not gone beyond dying. - All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me.
- I am the owner of my karma,
Heir to my karma,
Born of my karma,
Related to my karma,
Abide supported by my karma.
Whatever karma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that I will be the heir.
An Evangelical Changes His Mind On Gays
We’ve featured the work of Matthew Vines many times
before, and want to highlight a speech given at a conference recently
held by his organization, The Reformation Project. A keynote speaker,
David Gushee, one of the foremost evangelical ethicists in the United
States, used the occasion to announce his support for the full-inclusion
of LGBT Christians in the Church. The above video of Gushee’s remarks
is longer than we usually post, but it’s worth watching in full. (You
can read a transcript of his remarks here.) For a sense of why this matters, Jonathan Merritt sketches Gushee’s place in the evangelical world:
It is difficult to overstate the potential impact of Gushee’s defection. His Christian ethics textbook, “Kingdom Ethics,” co-authored with the late Glen Stassen, is widely respected and was named a 2004 Christianity Today book of the year. He serves as theologian-in-residence for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a coalition of 15 theological schools, 150 ministries, and 1,800 Baptist churches nationwide.
While other pro-LGBT Christian activists — including Justin Lee of the Gay Christian Network and Matthew Vines, author of “God and the Gay Christian” — have been dismissed in some circles as wet-behind-the-ears youngsters without formal theological training, Gushee, 52, is a scholar with impeccable credentials. He can add intellectual heft to what has largely been a youth-led movement, and is not someone who can be easily dismissed.Gushee summarizes his approach to the issue this way:
Since the 1960s, when the gay rights movement began in America, Christians and their leaders have struggled to figure out how to respond to the growing tolerance of same-sex relationships. Most in Christianity have responded by offering endless debates over how to interpret that handful of biblical passages. Books erupted. Congregations fought. Denominations split.
For me, the answer to this debate has become simple: There is a sexual-minority population of about 5 percent of the human family that has received contempt and discrimination for centuries. In Christendom, the sexual ethics based in those biblical passages metastasized into a hardened attitude against sexual- and gender-identity minorities, bristling with bullying and violence. This contempt is in the name of God, the most powerful kind there is in the world. I now believe that the traditional interpretation of the most cited passages is questionable and that all that parsing of Greek verbs has distracted attention from the primary moral obligation taught by Jesus — to love our neighbors as ourselves, especially our most vulnerable neighbors. I also now believe that while any progress toward more humane treatment of LGBT people is good progress, we need to reconsider the entire body of biblical interpretation and tradition related to this issue.
Put simply, it finally became clear to me that I must side with those who were being treated with contempt, just as I hope I would have sided with Jews in the Nazi era and with African Americans during the civil rights years.
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