Below is a video from TED. It features psychologist Jonathon Haidt presenting evidence of five morals that we all share to differing degrees. The difference in the importance we place on these morals defines many of the great social, political, and religious debates of our time.
Take a few minutes to explore your morality. Check out Haidt's site at http://www.yourmorals.org/ Where do you fall on the moral scale? Do you think of yourself that way?
What do you think of his concept of 'moral humility'? Aren't morals supposed to be fiercely defended? Isn't moral humility just another form of apathy?
Join us this Wednesday, 7pm at Short's Brewing Company as we explore morals!
11.22.2011
11.15.2011
Spiritual Leaders
In your faith journey, do you require a leader?
Certainly most people have family and friends that help them explore spirituality in a vibrant, dynamic way. However, these people are more like peers than leaders. So, what does it mean to be a spiritual leader and what affect do spiritual leaders have that are different than peers?
As culture continues to change, younger generations are more skeptical of those presenting themselves as leaders. Some of this is due to generational cynicism, but some of it is also due to a philosophical mindset. Leaders have less of a role. Pastors, rabbis, and other leaders are not automatically respected or obeyed by younger generations just because those people are proclaimed leaders.
So, what about you? What role do leaders play in your life? Are they integral?
Join us this Wednesday, 7pm for a conversation about leaders, peers and the role of spiritual guides.
Certainly most people have family and friends that help them explore spirituality in a vibrant, dynamic way. However, these people are more like peers than leaders. So, what does it mean to be a spiritual leader and what affect do spiritual leaders have that are different than peers?
As culture continues to change, younger generations are more skeptical of those presenting themselves as leaders. Some of this is due to generational cynicism, but some of it is also due to a philosophical mindset. Leaders have less of a role. Pastors, rabbis, and other leaders are not automatically respected or obeyed by younger generations just because those people are proclaimed leaders.
So, what about you? What role do leaders play in your life? Are they integral?
Join us this Wednesday, 7pm for a conversation about leaders, peers and the role of spiritual guides.
11.08.2011
Surviving the Darkest Moments
What was the worst moment of your life? When was the world the darkest for you?
If you're reading this then you are either in the midst of your darkest valley, or you somehow found a way to survive. How were you able to make it through the pain and the trouble? What kept you going?
Join us this Thursday and help us discover a light in the darkness. We gather every Wednesday, 7pm at Short's Brewing Company, downtown Bellaire, MI.
image source: deviant art
11.01.2011
Inner Demons and Better Angels
This week's topic comes to us via Barb:
The following link will bring you to a video where Pinker gives a lecture at TED (about 20 minutes) where he gives evidence that as we advance in our societies, we are actually becoming more peaceful people. The violence and 'evil' of human beings are actually an illusory result of better reporting and more media exposure.
So, what do you think? Are our better angels winning? Are we actually getting better? Is there a connection between the decline of religion and the advancement of peaceful societies?
Join us this Wednesday for a conversation about our inner demons and our better angels. We'll meet at Short's, 7pm!
Steven Pinker has a new book out called The Better Angels of our Nature. He says human nature is a constant pull of good and evil. He identifies 5 inner demons: sadism, revenge, dominance, violence in pursuit of ideology and violence in pursuit of practical benefit. The 4 "better angels" are self-control, empathy, morality and reason. He says civilization has given good the upper hand and we are kinder and gentler beings. He says we reframe conflict as a problem to be solved with brains and not brawn and that is a good thing. He says our world looks bad because of the news and such but when compared to the past we are much more moral and kind to others.
The following link will bring you to a video where Pinker gives a lecture at TED (about 20 minutes) where he gives evidence that as we advance in our societies, we are actually becoming more peaceful people. The violence and 'evil' of human beings are actually an illusory result of better reporting and more media exposure.
So, what do you think? Are our better angels winning? Are we actually getting better? Is there a connection between the decline of religion and the advancement of peaceful societies?
Join us this Wednesday for a conversation about our inner demons and our better angels. We'll meet at Short's, 7pm!
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