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Monday, August 6
View Article  What does the conceptual framework of Confucianism have to offer us? Part I of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Mon 06 Aug 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does the conceptual framework of Confucianism have to offer us?

 

 

Part I of II

 

Confucianism originated in 500 BC; society could be saved if it emphasized sincerity in personal and public conduct; the key to orderly social life was the gentleman; [the gentleman] was to think for himself guided by definite rules of conduct; a gentleman also studied constantly and practiced self-examination; when gentlemen were rulers, their moral example would inspire those beneath them to lead good lives; virtuous behavior by rulers had a greater effect in governing than did laws and codes of punishment.

 

–World Book Encyclopedia, p. 756

 

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Confucianism is an eastern philosophy just as Hinduism is an eastern religion.

 

East or West, it does not seem to matter.

 

We are both headed in the same direction.

 

The East through Hinduism led the way for religion with the global perception of a Causative Force.

 

To be continued: Part II of II: The West through the ancient...
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Sunday, August 5
View Article  What does classical/traditional theism reinforce about the significance of existence, life? Part II of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Sun 05 Aug 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does classical/traditional theism reinforce about the significance of existence, life?

 

Part II of II

...Our historical growth regarding the rights of the individual and the importance of our environment has jumped by leaps and bounds.

 

This, however, should not lead us to complacency.

 

If expanding upon the size of the Causative Force caused an explosive development in the value we have of life, then perhaps we can generate another event of equal magnitude.

 

Perhaps by expanding the size of the Causative Force, we can put into place the ideas necessary to initiate another quantum leap toward improving life.

 

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This time, the leap we take regarding the value of life would apply to not only souls on earth but souls throughout space, for they also would be understood to exist within the Causative Force.

 

In fact, the value we would then be forced to place on life, the soul, would reach even beyond the boundaries of our universe and into the concept of other universes whether or not they actually exist.

 

We would, in actuality, be building a bill of rights for all life; a high ideal indeed, but an ideal that now becomes possible by expanding the classical/traditional theism size of the Causative Force to be truly omnipresent.

 

This means there is no place for us to be but within the “arms” of the Causative Force.

 

This idea might initiate another leap forward regarding our understanding of our significance, our responsibility for living.

 

Elevating our understanding regarding our responsibilities for living would in turn elevate our behavior.

 

End

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Saturday, August 4
View Article  What does classical/traditional theism reinforce about the significance of existence, life? Part I of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Sat 04 Aug 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does classical/traditional theism reinforce about the significance of existence, life?

 

 

 

Part I of II

 

Classical/traditional theism expands upon the magnitude of existence.

 

Now life goes beyond the universe and into eternity.

 

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Atheism forces one to view the significance of life in terms of time and in terms of our physical universe.

 

This places a limit on the significance of life.

 

Classical/traditional theism expands our significance into eternity but shuts the door on a portion of eternity, for we exist not within the Causative Force but outside Her.

 

This outside existence limits us, for under this viewpoint, we are not capable of being a significant contributor to the ultimate being we envision.

 

This expansion of our significance beyond our universe and into eternity has done wonderful things in terms of the value we place on human life.

 

To be continued: Part II of II: Our historical growth regarding...
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Friday, August 3
View Article  What does atheism reinforce about the significance of existence, life? Part II of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Fri 03 Aug 2007 12:00 AM EDT

What does atheism reinforce about the significance of existence, life?

 

Part II of II

...You now become responsible for your own actions, for they will affect you in the hereafter.

 

Under atheism, you have no responsibility to the Causative Force for you do not have any direct impact upon Her.

 

Is life significant? Yes, but only in a limited way.

 

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Atheism differs from panentheism regarding responsibility.

 

Under panentheism, you exist within the Causative Force.

 

As such, you have a responsibility not only to yourself but to the Causative Force.

 

By being within the Causative Force, you impact the Causative Force as well as yourself through your behavior.

 

This form of existence, panentheism, places the highest form of significance upon life.

 

In addition, panentheism places the highest form of responsibility upon existence, life.

 

Understanding this concept would force us as individuals and as a species into protecting life and journeys through life as the ultimate responsibility.

 

Under the concept of panentheism, life becomes so significant that it actually impacts upon the Causative Force Herself.

 

The value of a life, the value of existence, reaches a new height of significance which translates into new behavior patterns directed at the individual.

 

All this is generated from the debate over the size of the Causative Force beginning with the idea of no size at all, or nonexistence of the Causative Force, atheism.

 

Behavior in life tends to rise to the level of its responsibility.

 

End

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Thursday, August 2
View Article  What does atheism reinforce about the significance of existence, life? Part I of II
by Daniel J. Shepard on Thu 02 Aug 2007 12:17 AM EDT

What does atheism reinforce about the significance of existence, life?

 

 

 

Part I of II

 

Atheism initiates the concept that life is real.

 

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Life being real is not a “bad” position to take.

 

It lends validity to what we do everyday.

 

If one did not believe that life was real, then many people would decide that putting the energy life demands of us into meeting everyday challenges would seem ridiculous.

 

Atheism, by declaring life to be real, begins the process of understanding the significance of life.

 

Classical/traditional theism provides an even greater significance to life, for under the classical/traditional theism of Judaism, Christianity,

 

Islam, etc., life goes beyond this world and into eternity.

 

But under western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Causative Force transcends the universe.

 

In other words, the universe is not inside the Causative Force.

 

The end result of the size of the Causative Force is to expand your responsibility in life over the responsibility atheism places upon you.

 

To be continued: Part II of II: You now become responsible for...
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