Alyxandria
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Alyxandria Bronson
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Kent State University
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Are any Objectivists here in love with a religious person?
Alyxandria replied to Ragnar69's topic in Ethics
I wrote to Ragnar about this piece in particular. When I thought about it, and answered the questions for myself, I came up with this overall summary of my beliefs: I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as best I can. Charity, brotherly love, the importance of the family and children, to name a few. I hate to put scripture on here, but ... "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27 NIV). I know that following Christ's teachings bring a joy and peace to my life today - I don't do it in hopes of an a eternal pay out in the after life, or for fear of being punished by God. I've never felt "punished" by anything but my own poor choices. When I follow Jesus's teachings or - pardon me, please - ask myself "WWJD?", the results of my actions make me happy and cause happiness to me in the future. The inverse is also true - when I don't do these things, things in my life usually go downhill. I do like to think when I pray and meditate that my internal voice, my conscience, is something divine and gifted to me and that I need to discipline my actions and my understanding of my self and conscience to be truly at peace. My conversations with Jesus is at the same time a conversation with myself if I do this. Maybe my spirituality is best expressed as a love of Christ the teacher, and my actions and resulting happiness my own salvation? -
Are any Objectivists here in love with a religious person?
Alyxandria replied to Ragnar69's topic in Ethics
Hello all...I'm the "believer" Ragnar69 is engaged to. I was a little nervous when he told me he'd posted on here. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised at how this question was received. All the sound, insightful responses to our relationship differences are greatly appreciated. It's been very interesting and thought-provoking, and I'm sure we'll have a deep conversation later on this issue, and the issues raised by other responses. When I read what Ragnar wrote about baptism, it seemed a little nutty seeing how it was written on the screen- even to me. So I wanted to elaborate: To be honest, the idea of baptizing my children is in conflict with my feeling on what baptism truly means. Baptism is a public and symbolic ritual to reflect the choice to follow Christ and being anointed by the Holy Spirit. No child can make that choice with any amount of thought or certainty, and shouldn't be forced to. In everything else in their lives, I don't intend to interject anything religious into my young family without them coming to either myself or their father with curiosity. This is the general attitude in my family. But in the family I'm marrying into, baptism is just as important and as joyful an occasion as holidays and birthdays, and I'd hate to break a family tradition or deny my family this milestone. In lieu of a baptism, I'm in favor of a "christening" or "naming" ceremony. It would still formally welcome the child into the family and allow for a chance for the family to gather and celebrate the birth. I'm prepared to make secular "swap-outs" like this in our life together to accommodate his beliefs, and my love of traditions and family. For example, we'd discussed for our wedding having it performed by a humanist officiant and having a non-religious ceremony. I think Ragnar and I both can celebrate our lives together and love in all things, as well as our individual selves and beliefs. Again, thank you for all the helpful responses and advice.