 Spiritual: April 02, 2008 Issue [#2313] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: NaNoKit  
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This week's Spiritual Newsletter is about freedom. In particular, it touches upon freedom of faith and freedom of expression. How important are these freedoms? Should there be a limit on them?
kittiara |
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For this month’s Spiritual Newsletter, I would like to talk about freedom. Freedom is something we all value, it’s a concept we cherish and protect, or, at times, desperately try to achieve. But is true freedom a reality? Or is it merely a hopeful concept, or perhaps even an illusion?
It’s no secret that the concept of freedom has changed over the centuries. This, in part, has to do with an increase of the population of this planet. Whilst in times past it was possible for the brave to venture off and find new lands, to claim a piece of property and establish your own kind of freedom, nowadays this venture would be met with a lot of difficulties.
With a greater population comes, by necessity, an establishment of rules and laws. These are needed for people to live together with some sense of security. Generally, laws tend to make sense – do not harm others, do not steal, do not play your music at full volume at three in the morning or your neighbours will be very displeased. Generally, laws grant an individual freedom within their own homes, to live their lives as they please, so long, again, as they don’t harm anyone.
However, in modern society, at least in some countries, even people’s private lives are under scrutiny. There’s an increasing interest in what people eat, what faith they practice, what they look at on the Internet, what they buy, what they say and, indeed, what they write.
For this Newsletter I will look at two of these freedoms – freedom of faith and freedom of expression. Both are relevant and very important.
One has to but glance at the news to notice the conflict between different faiths at this moment in time. To me, this is a worrying trend and completely unnecessary. A person’s faith is a very personal matter. It’s about one’s relationship with a greater Being and/or the world around them. It’s part of a person’s spiritual journey and spiritual fulfilment.
The path travelled to achieve this fulfilment is very much up to the individual. A lot may depend on where someone lives, the religion they grew up with, the society around them… but ultimately everyone has to discover for themselves where they fit.
The variety of faiths around the world reflects this, in my opinion. And each faith I have learned about so far, has its own beauty, grace and merit. So why does there need to be conflict? I think it’s quite unnecessary. Everyone should have the freedom to their own faith or, indeed, the lack thereof. If that respect for this freedom were universal, the world could focus on more pressing matters.
Freedom of expression is just as important. It has been proven over and over that censorship is a dangerous trend. That has always been my firm conviction.
I do admit that recent media stories have made me question my conviction. Is it acceptable to release an item which you know will cause upset to a lot of others? Is it acceptable to publish something which might put your home country at risk of attack? Where does one draw the line between the right to freedom of speech, and creating a security risk?
My conclusion is that I still hold with the importance of freedom of expression. Once censorship takes hold, it is a slippery slope. If one topic isn’t acceptable, soon there will be another, then another, and where does it end?
After all, a lot depends on those who choose to watch/listen to/read something. If a person thinks they might be offended by something, they can choose to not expose themselves to it. I know that I don’t like to see graphic violence in films, so I choose not to watch them. It is as simple as that.
Here on Writing.Com, we are lucky that we are allowed to write about whatever we like. There is no censorship. Whatever the topic of your item, whatever your opinion, whatever your passion, you are free to express it.
Just make sure you attach the appropriate content rating, to help others decide whether or not the material will be suitable for them. 
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I invite readers to send in items reflecting their different faiths. When searching for items to include in my Newsletter, I mostly come across Christian writings. I enjoy reading these – I am a Christian myself – but I would love to showcase a greater diversity of pieces for the enjoyment of all. 
kittiara
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When searching for items relating to freedom, I came across these wonderful pieces. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did .
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A personal account of how I found true freedom in the most important moment of my life.
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Descriptions of what I think represents freedom
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all feedback, thoughts, questions and suggestions. So please don't hesitate to contact us!
Jaye P. Marshall  - This was my first issue of the Spiritual Newsletter and found the points you've made to be "Right on!" Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for the compliment! I am glad you enjoyed the Newsletter. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Daizy May  - Kittiara, what a reminder! True forgiveness brings peace of mind. You know, forgiveness is a good way to lose an enemy. And forgiving oneself will get rid of your worst enemy.
This newsletter was well written, easy to read, and offered a good thought to ponder. Good job!! Nancy
Thank you so much for the kind words, Nancy . I fully agree with you - forgiveness does bring peace of mind.
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gramma6 - Forgiving yourself is a lot harder than forgiving someone else. I lost my mom last year and only had about 2 months with her before she passed away. I lived in another state for 15 yrs, so that was a bitter pill to swallow. Thank you for the newsletter. It lifted my heart.
- I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can relate a bit - my family lives overseas. I moved to the UK several years ago, and some of my family members have some serious health issues. It is really difficult at times.
I hope that those months spent together have brought some joy and good memories at least.
Thanks so much for sharing and for your kind words!
~~~
weeowl flying free! - Because I've been going through a lot (to put it mildly) I'm going back to childhood...where i felt safe. How can I be mad at myself when I see my innocence? See thy innocence and all will be well. Weeowl
Beautiful words, and definitely food for thought. I am sorry for your bad experiences. Indeed, you shouldn't be mad at yourself!
~~~
To Bluesman :
Because of the very personal nature of your comment, I have chosen not to use it in my Newsletter. This is out of respect for you, so please, no offense intended.
I am so sorry to read about what happened, and I think most of us would simply not be able to understand the reasons why this person chose to do what she did. I truely think you made the right decision for all involved!
Thanks so much for sharing .
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Incurable Romantic - Kitti, your editorial on Forgiveness is WONDERFUL. And I can personally vouch for the healing power of it. Those who know me or have read the bio know that for years I could never forgive my mother for the way she treated my relationship with my first love (just because our relationship wasn't part of mom's plan for my life). That started in 1966, my senior year. It took till last year, 2007, for me to forgive mom. But I did it after my minister said in a sermon one Sunday, one of the same basic things you are saying here: that forgiving is about letting go. Once he said that, I realized that I didn't need the stress this was giving me anymore, or the burden of the bad memories. I forgave mom before the service was over.
Your article is right on target, and I hope many readers take it to heart. I can guarantee they'll find the relief you talked about here. Because I did. Keep up the great work, Ms. Editor!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it.
I am so happy that you were able to forgive your mother. It is sometimes really hard to let go, and to forgive. I know this from experience. Sometimes I still struggle with it. But yes, once able to let something go, it brings a genuine relief, and a lighter heart.
Thanks for sharing!
~~~
To donald:
Because of the need to keep this Newsletter at a rating to suit its variety of readers, I could not use your comment. Please, no offense is intended.
I do agree with your comment. In fact, I know from personal experience how hard it is to forgive in such a case. However, I try... letting go can be a part of healing.
~~~
I wish you all a wonderful week .
Your Spiritual Newsletter Team:
Sophurky  , Puditat , larryp, kittiara
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