Pentecost Prayer Day 37

Prejudice is a religious value in all the Abrahamic religions.The demand to be like "us" is cloaked in "concern" over the immortal souls of others. Those who demand that we reject others because of their religions are spreading destruction, not redemption. At what point does an innocent baby become an "other?" At what point do we turn their sacred souls into cesspools of fear and hatred?

I believe we are conceived infused with The Sacred Spirit when we are conceived in responsible compassion for another human being. I don't believe that infant baptism is washing anything off a baby's soul; rather it should be a commitment ceremony where the community binds themselves to walking in the way of The Sacred Spirit of responsible compassion. This includes a commitment to hold each other to the promises made.

Why is the Sunday worship hour still the most segregated hour in America? Are we so weak in our individual commitments that we must flock only with those who believe as we do? If religions exist to spread responsible compassion, how is it that we are still using taxpayer funds to do charity work? And why are our public schools still more inclusive than our religious establishments?

My prayer for Pentecost is that we see the child's soul in every human being, and begin to connect to The Sacred Spirit of everyone we meet.

Pentecost Prayer Day 36

No nation, no religion, no family, nor friends can legalize responsible compassion.
"Love" has been used to convey many meanings that suit society's current fashions.
Compassion in action is what I believe is love; without responsibility it's sentiment.
We're not sent to enable another's weakness, but to support the missions for which we're sent.

Jesus didn't speak the golden rule that we profess, 'Do unto others as we'd have them do."
The message that we are to honor, first The Sacred Spirit in all, seems to be known by only a few.
The Sacred Spirit doesn't share drugs in order to curry "friendship" and tribal acceptance.
The Sacred Spirit hasn't ridiculed or punished weakness, in the beginning or ever since.

The Sacred Spirit has always manifested in the ways that foster universal growth,
Not hurrying to reunite all the energy of which The Sacred Spirit could boast.
Compassion without responsibility may follow the short-lived human golden rule,
But this does not lead to the universal, eternal harmony of any beings but fools.

My prayer for Pentecost is that we begin to honor the differences between humanity and animal instincts.

Pentecostal Prayer Day 35

I am thrilled that our individual and collective beliefs are being challenged on an international scale.

The greatest thing about the gift of freedom of speech and of religion is that it gives us the opportunity for personal heroics. I believe in the freedom of speech, and I also know that humanity is dependent on freedom of will. These are two responsibilities of each individual in society. If those espousing religion would truly follow their own creeds, all "charity" would be carried out within communities of believers without intervention of the taxpayer. If we stop supporting religion and civil rights efforts with tax dollars, perhaps all individuals would think in terms of the consequences of their own free choices.

It is difficult to stay true to one's own values in the face of opposition and possible persecution. It is more difficult to stay true to our beliefs and to hold our children to those values when the neighbors may be doing something different than that which is allowed in our home. Modeling and bonding, not fear of persecution and punishment, are what make others adherents to our wishes. This takes time and dedication. Making what the religious deem immoral available to all is not the same as forcing these actions on people.

We, in the United States, honor the sanctity of family bonds, be they biological or simply legally approved. This is a double-edged sword. While we assume that all children are wanted by their parents, we actually know that this is not the case. Because we are not sure what traits are genetic and can't be corrected with either medical intervention or responsible compassion, we hesitate to supersede the accepted "rights" of the parents to procreate with the absolute rights of the children to be cherished. I submit that we have adopted this policy because we don't have the ability to truly control The Sacred Spirit in the many physical manifestations on earth.

My prayer for Pentecost is that we all examine our our values and practice them, rather than preach them.

Pentecost Prayer Day 34

I am Eve, always seeking the knowledge of good and evil,

And suffering greatly with each revelation in myself and others.

I am Sarah, the mother of a new generation of leaders in their tribes.

And I am Hagar who is turned away by other mothers

For fear that I will turn from handmaiden to matriarch.

I am the mother of Moses, sending my boy off to his destiny;
Though my womb bore him, and at my breasts, he nursed.
I became the handmaiden to those who claimed him.
And I have been called a warrior and judge, as was Deborah. 

I am Martha and Mary, both serving and observing,

Wanting to feed many with warm milk and with wisdom,

Knowing that there are many not open to mothering.

I am Mary Magdalene, scorned and scourged as a whore,

And I am the mother/wife of men who honor my motherhood.

Though I cry bitter tears of blood for human suffering,

I know that I can’t turn others from their sacred missions.

If I was able to be stoic as I follow in others’ footsteps,

Perhaps I would be allowed to stay at the foot of the cross.

Barring that honor, I will continue to observe and speak out.

My prayer for Pentecost is that we all have the courage to speak of what we observe.

Pentecost Prayer Day 33

It seems that the hijab is considered a justifiable reason to persecute the wearer. I grew up Roman Catholic; in my youth, women weren't allowed to enter churches without head coverings.  Even non-orthodox Jewish men show respect in their temples by covering their heads. As an adult in sales, I used to wear a large hat whenever I was making sales calls, and was picked up by a policeman under suspicion of being a prostitute. Talk about jumping to conclusions!

Not all passionate displays of belief are suspicious. Is the horseback enthusiast suspect for donning a cowboy hat and western boots? Is the blue-collar worker less a fellow citizen for wearing a “Cat” hat? Is the sports or school fan a heretic because the colors of the team are worn? Do we have to confine our displays of our beliefs to homogeneous groups in order not to be persecuted?

We could do with more modesty in our citizenry, but America has a way of using desensitization by over-exposure as the way to bring ideas and practices into the mainstream. Maybe we women should all start covering our heads in solidarity with those wearing the hijab. The plus side for many of us would be no more “bad hair” days, and possibly less skin cancer.

 

America was founded on pluralism and freedom to express our differing beliefs. In my opinion,  the continued knee-jerk prejudice in place of attempts at education about others is un-American.

The eyes and actions are truly mirrors of one's soul.  We must stop mindless hero (and clergy) worship, as well as knee-jerk prejudices. My prayer for Pentecost is that we learn to see the humanity beneath the skin, headgear, uniform, occupation, profession, and religious words.

Pentecost Prayer Day 32

"Not in our family," should suffice as a rule,
Instead of changing behavior through ridicule.
Then offering examples of acceptable behavior,
As did the man Christians call their savior.

If we truly bond with the soul of another,
We work toward staying bonded as brothers.
To truly say, "Through all trials, I'm there for you,"
Is something meant by only a very few.

This assumes joint committed responsibility
To continue to strive for the best we can be.
My prayer for Pentecost is that our example
Of responsible compassion will become ample.

Pentecostal Prayer Day 31

Language is important, but more than that is the intent;
Sometimes words don't translate to what the speaker meant.
Does it really matter what we call The Sacred Spirit
If we use any name that causes others to fear it?

Healing conversation requires compassionate sharing;
This must be the root of all faith's proof of caring.
The religions that speak much without listening
Are, the purpose of community of faith, missing.

It takes great courage to hear with respect, silently,
The pain from which another yearns to be free.
My Pentecostal prayer is that we will support
Conversing in community, rather than in court.