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G r i n c h e s December 14, 2009 Cranky, bitter, negative, cheap, and a ‘curmudgeon of spirit’.  Life is karmic or, ‘payback’ for what came before that wasn’t dealt with from the heart and consciousness.  Those who didn’t pay attention to their unresolved issues while still young, although, still at any age, possible, will face more of the same resulting in a visible suppressed anger and bitterness.  Many put ‘lipstick’ on their low self esteem and, negative perceptions that they use to defend the illusion of happiness.  Wipe away the thin veneer of ‘pretending happiness’ and a ‘grinch’ appears when it is least expected - male or female.  Bitterness doesn’t require a pill to active the behavior, it’s a slow accumulation of failed experiences, be they marriage or, rejections of some sort that, ironically, were probably the result of ‘being a vacuum for the problems’ and, creating them, with or without help from another. The ‘grinch’ has immersed himself deep into the world of selfishness mainly exhibiting itself in their thin, fragile persona that underneath is boiling all kinds of ‘spitter-sputter’. A dear spiritual friend of mine, who’s an inspiration to all willing to ‘drop their ego’, tells the complainers of life that she has faced rape, domestic violence, raising 3 kids, and earlier being a prostitute as well as, innumerable inconsiderate, hurtful judgments. She shows that she loves life, herself and, giving inspiration to others.  Her words to those ‘grinches’ are to call their ‘bluff’ on blaming dilemmas on factors outside of themselves and, ‘to get over it’ while doing something positive about being thankful for everything as having been an opportunity to find the blessings that were hidden in plain sight. Learning to love oneself, apart from ‘treating’ oneself to the material and ‘illusions’, is a ‘road to finding riches’.  Those ‘riches’ are finding out how to love the inner self which starts by identifying and, taking responsibility for the fears and ignorance that linger within.  No one who really loves themselves is going to reach out and flash a magic wand to change what can only be done the slow, long way within oneself. The focus on the ‘bliss within can start at any age but, the years make it more comfortable to find ‘shields’ to guard one’s ‘loitering negativity’.  The only wealth worth it’s weight in ‘gold’ is that within! Be a ‘gold digger’ within! http://www.freedomofspeech.netfirms.com/

New study: Brazil best for religious tolerance

December 18, 12:20 PMFreethought ExaminerD.M. Murdock/Acharya S

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo by LecomteB

A major new study has found that when it comes to religious tolerance globally, predominantly Muslim countries rank among the least tolerant, while "Western" democracies make up the bulk of the freest places to live. Such findings may come as no surprise to millions of citizens of Westernized countries and refugees of religious persecution from Eastern and Middle Eastern nations, for example.

The new study, "Global Restrictions on Religion," charted "publicly reported incidents of religious violence, intolerance, intimidation and discrimination in 198 countries and territories from mid-2006 to mid-2008." Importantly, the study found that "more than two out of three people around the world live in countries with high or very high restrictions on religion." In this regard, almost 50 percent of all nations charted either do not allow foreign missionaries or restrict their activities, while some 90 percent require religious organizations to register with the government, mainly for tax purposes.

Surprising finds

The study did make a few surprising discoveries, including that, in tracking "violence between religious groups in 126 countries," it was found that a mere nine percent of these nations experienced "religion-related terrorism leading to injury or death." Another surprise was that the supposedly "moderate" Muslim nation of Indonesia is actually one of the most intolerant countries when it comes to religious freedom:

"Indonesia—the most populous Muslim country in the world—is often touted as an example of tolerance and democracy in the Islamic world.

"But a huge new study suggests it's actually among the most restrictive countries in the world when it comes to religion.

Interestingly, in other countries, such as China, "tight controls" on religious practice seem to keep the peace between faiths, whereas less restrictive India suffers "very high levels of social hostility," mainly between Hindus and Muslims. Indeed, India rated the highest overall in terms of "social hostilities" and, despite its moderate governmental tolerance, has been known to prosecute individuals for "hurting another religion," as exemplified in the recent arrest of a Christian pastor and his wife, who had been attacked by Muslims and who were subsequently charged with "defiling a place of worship with intent to hurt another religion and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings," per the Indian Penal Code section 295 and 294(A).

Brazil rates best overall

As concerns the two categories of government regulation and social hostility, the study concluded that "Brazil has the lowest ratings in both categories among the 25 largest countries in the world, while Pakistan has the highest, followed closely by Indonesia." This finding means that Brazil is the least restrictive and most tolerant nation of the top more than two dozen biggest nations globally.

Regarding religious tolerance overall, "Egypt, Iran and Bangladesh also rate poorly for religious freedom, while Japan, the United States, South Africa, Italy and the United Kingdom score well." Japan, of course, is an Eastern country, but the population is essentially homogenous with 98.6 percent of the populace "pure Japanese."

The study determined that the U.S. has low government restriction but a "moderate amount of social tension" because of religious divisiveness, a determination based on law enforcement statistics. Study leader Brian Grim said the U.S. was "marked down because of the Bush administration's 'global war on terror,'" while major terrorist incidents widely ascribed to Islamic fundamentalists on U.S. soil, such as 9/11 and Fort Hood, had not been factored into the study.

In consideration of the current climate of religious strife in many places, these discoveries may be considered hopeful in that this study is being conducted in the first place and that open dialogue about religion is increasing globally, without as much of the past repression and fear. This important development has much to do with the internet and its extraordinary freedom of expression.

Sources & Further Reading

Vast majority of the world faces restrictions on religion, study finds
Indian Police Arrest Assaulted Christian Couple
New book promotes religious understanding

http://www.freedomofspeech.netfirms.com/

Pop Up Love December 13, 2009 Love that doesn’t mean anything, except in the moment, is better than no love at all. Holding back from giving 100%, whether in sports, on the job, or in a relationship, leaves the encounter teetering on the brink of disappearing with little announcement. Going all the way is self inspiring to give more while inspiring another or others to do the same. A brief story: A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her... The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed. 
The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.  That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.  Moral of the story: If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent. Surrendering to loving yourself changes and raises the quality of loving anyone.  We don’t surrender to anyone person however, they may be the ‘vehicle’ to reach within and give 100%.  Being in a place of surrender changes the experience of loving others and life in general.’Popping up’ once in a while to respond to stimuli while guarding the quality and/or quality, is conditional giving at best.  The ‘male ego’, (which is also found in the female), is a wall or abutment to experience the fullness of unconditional love. ‘Pop up love’ comes from the ego to satisfy the pleasure in the moment with no regard for anyone, if truth be known, than the self.  To be locked in the false self or ego is to be one more human among billions who live life like the animals with no recognition that we are the only specie capable of living life as if we are ‘gods of consciousness’.  Accept yourself as helpless and, the surrender will happen of it’s own accord.  The shackles of identifying with ones fears of letting go leave imprints of programming carried down the ages from the caveman.  ‘Pop up love’ is divine when from a place of surrender! Leaving ‘footprints’ of love will help others follow in step toward their own experience.      Arhata http://www.freedomofspeech.netfirms.com/

WE GREW UP IN THE 1950's. Famlilies then supported themselves with one
worker one job working 40 hours a week. Bought homes easily. Our generation
can't do that nor will our children do that. They have to have two wage
earners, one has to have 2 jobs and they're still trying to squeak by. If
ordinary working stiffs got the same % of the wealth that they created
(like we got in the 50's)  we  could support our families with one worker,
one job working 2 days a week. Translated to Dad earning 170$ an hour.
That's how good it was in the fifties. WE ARE LIKE hamsters today in a
spinning treadmill. Frazzled trying to keep up, immune systems tweaked,
dying like flies at a true fly lifespan, a very short brutal life. WHY are
our workers paid so little compared to their true worth?  We have lost our
Republic. Legislators don't represent their constituents but the lobbyists
with campaign donations, perks and all of which comes from transnationals.
Does it suit the big corps to have humanity so flattened? I don't think so.
Their strategy is skewed and doesn't even serve THEM!