tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post1747238499146911416..comments2024-03-26T02:07:02.561-04:00Comments on Vijaya Bodach: On FreedomVijayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-29674300934330666492016-07-04T19:11:17.316-04:002016-07-04T19:11:17.316-04:00Faith, I love that phrase too and goodness, Lucy i...Faith, I love that phrase too and goodness, Lucy is such a great kid and thoughtful for her age. "Unfortunately, if we continue to oppress the weakest members of our society, we're no better than that government who wanted to eliminate all the disfigured and handicapped and Jewish (and so on) members of theirs." This is what I fear.<br /><br />Bish, I agree with "Our job, it seems to me, is to love unconditionally and be compassionate." So we must define what it means to love, to be compassionate. To love a person means doing what is best for them, which includes helping them avoid a sinful situation, even if the govt. sanctions it. Compassion means to suffer with a person, not showing false mercy and killing them. <br /><br />Mirka, I think people who've lived in other places are able to appreciate the US so much more. Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-62887916281141526422016-07-04T14:50:41.245-04:002016-07-04T14:50:41.245-04:00I was born a U.S.A. citizen, but grew up elsewhere...I was born a U.S.A. citizen, but grew up elsewhere. This is part of why I love and appreciate this land more than some of my native friends. I see this generous expansive country as the haven it is. Happy July 4th!Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-68171373783222023782016-07-04T09:45:17.415-04:002016-07-04T09:45:17.415-04:00And shouldn't this freedom we love so dearly a...And shouldn't this freedom we love so dearly also include the freedom to choose? Leave the judgement up to God as to whether or not it is a sin. Our job, it seems to me, is to love unconditionally and be compassionate. <br /><br />May you and your family have a glorious 4th of July!Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221151616674180073.post-557944926638546062016-07-03T21:41:27.024-04:002016-07-03T21:41:27.024-04:00Lu and I had an interesting conversation today abo...Lu and I had an interesting conversation today about freedom and "the American dream"--how that used to mean the opportunity to raise one's family in a place where our freedoms were protected, but now it's all about money! I love "America the Beautiful" and its line (among others, including the one you quoted) "May God thy gold refine/ 'til all success be nobleness and every gain divine." <br />And of course that conversation got us started (once again) on what a great book ECHO is. The way the tyranny of Nazi Germany is juxtaposed with the flawed freedoms of America was so striking and thought-provoking (even to an 8-year-old). Unfortunately, if we continue to oppress the weakest members of our society, we're no better than that government who wanted to eliminate all the disfigured and handicapped and Jewish (and so on) members of theirs.Faith E. Houghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823750019164801104noreply@blogger.com