tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245986155028689241.post3647458543670690532..comments2024-03-11T18:49:48.897-07:00Comments on Worth and Dignity of Every Being?: Healing and Nurturing Ourselves to Nurture All LifeLoraKim Joynerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07305359695072392847noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245986155028689241.post-90653525053857256632016-06-15T14:26:32.451-07:002016-06-15T14:26:32.451-07:00I'm very excited by the First Principle projec...I'm very excited by the First Principle project, and I am glad you are making progress with your goals. I am a member of the All Souls UU congregation in Kansas City, so what I am about to say comes from the perspective of living in a "red state" that is very eager to deny women access to reproductive healthcare of all sorts, but especially abortion. I am a firm believer in the worth of non-human beings, and I am very close philosophically to Peter Singer's definition of personhood, which hinges on the idea of sentience and is non-species specific. That being said, I think it is important to understand that there will be some people who will try to pervert what you are doing here into an antiabortion argument unless you make a distinction between sentient and non-sentient beings. While I believe ALL beings deserve respect and protection, I feel the agency of women and their own personhood must be given ethical primacy over the rights of non-sentient blastocysts, embryos, and fetuses. Frankly, I believe that even if the above-mentioned beings were found to be sentient, a woman's right to control her own body means that when in conflict, her right to bodily autonomy outweighs the blastocyst/embryo/fetus' right to live. Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004080251742564980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245986155028689241.post-38854025738980497012016-04-26T04:16:38.475-07:002016-04-26T04:16:38.475-07:00This content has a good articles, like to read you...This content has a good articles, like to read your post. Thanks for sharing.<a href="http://www.satyssparks.com/" rel="nofollow"><b>SatysSparks Bangalore</b></a>|<a href="http://www.satyssparks.com/" rel="nofollow"><b>Strength Based Recruitment</b></a>|<a href="http://www.satyssparks.com/" rel="nofollow"><b>Strength Based Leadership</b></a>jayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05840494244994230868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7245986155028689241.post-25718284703398934552016-02-18T14:28:39.923-08:002016-02-18T14:28:39.923-08:001st Principle; “The inherent worth and dignity of ...1st Principle; “The inherent worth and dignity of every…..“person”?<br /><br /> Compassion, inclusion, and empathy These are the hallmarks of our Faith. Our trademark is one of finding the common ground which connects us all under one roof despite the vast diversity represented by our members While we come from many backgrounds and value many viewpoints…it is our seven principals which has bought us to a state of Fellowship and Connection. These principals represent our common ground. Who could argue against these Seven Principals? They are self evident guidelines for a life of compassion, inclusion, and empathy.<br /> <br /> Though there is one point I would like you to reconsider. But prior to doing so, let’s first look at “privilege’ At many UU Fellowships there is much discussion on “White” privilege. Also on “Wealth” privilege and “American” privilege. By it’s definition “privilege’ is in effect when you don’t personally see the injustice, it’s not in your local view, it doesn’t directly effect you, and you willingly choose to ignore it. Privilege provides us with readily accessible blinders to vast suffering and pain. It can immobilize us to a state of comfortable inaction. Sometimes so called “traditions and long standing customs can be a method of privilege…“we have always done this way, why change now ?” Past practices can take root without mindful review and re-assessment for decades. Privilege fuels the fire of random standards based on subjective and personal agendas.<br /> <br /> As Unitarian Universalists, we are a people of action. It is our actions to address injustices and to support those in need which define us. This is our history. Our action it’s based on a sense of fairness, equality, and justice. It is not based on how popular the cause is or if there is mainstream opposition or support. The Unitarian Universalist track record is one is addressing injustices removed from…privilege. We are called to work which doesn’t effect us, not in our view, and is often ignored by the majority. Our actions intent to bring healing along with providing a voice to the voiceless. To effect progress.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> With this in mind, I ask you to expand compassion, inclusion, and empathy to our non human “beings”. Let’s ask ourselves some difficult questions. Should our compassion be selective and more importantly restricted to our fellow humans ? In doing so are we unintentionally devaluing the lives of thousands of animals who wish not to suffer, feel pain, and who want to live? To those who object to changing the First Principal from “people” to “beings“, I ask you… why? What is your objection based on? Does an IQ score dictate allocations of kindness and respect ? Does our intelligence somehow entitle us to disregard our fellow “beings“? <br /><br /> Are non humans somehow less worthy?<br /><br /> We have an opportunity today to move beyond Human Privilege along with the entitlement, limitations, and restricted compassion it brings to our core values. Values which challenge us to embrace progress and to evolve to a more inclusive, kinder, and less privileged way of life. As we have done so many times in the past, we can lead by example. We can be among the first people of an organized Faith to formerly extent compassion to our fellow Earthlings. <br />A concept often overlooked until now.<br /><br /> For many you have already taken our fellow voiceless “beings” into your hearts. At this moment we can have our Faith catch up to what is already deeply rooted in the hearts of many UU’s. I present to you a rare opportunity to embrace a one word change; “people” to “beings“ Think about it. <br />When has one word carried so much…… impact for so many?<br /><br />Together….Let’s take this step forward.<br /><br />Yours in Fellowship and Unity,<br />George T. Coniglio, Inter-Faith Chaplain-UUAM Board Member <br /> <br /><br />George Conigliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06419087736286270495noreply@blogger.com