Which road have you choosen? (or do all roads lead to the grave?)

Two roads diverged in the wood, and I I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken" (1) Comments

Posted: 7/7/2006 2:16:39 AM

Invitation to take a look at "Havasu Means Blue Water"

The www.shoetreepublishers.com website was down for system repairs. It is now back on-line. I invite you to take a look at my novel, "Havasu Means Blue Water". The first approx.40 pages can be viewed free of charge. Take a look and let me know what you think. (0) Comments

Posted: 7/7/2006 2:10:01 AM

Young at Heart (or from the mouth of babes!)

Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not it's goal; 'Dust thou art, to dust returnest' Was not spoken of the soul. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "A Psalm of Life, What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist" (0) Comments

Posted: 7/5/2006 2:45:04 AM

Crime and Atonement--You be the judge !!

I'm curious to know what kinds of acts of atonement would be acceptable for the following offenses: Infidelity Lying Stealing Assault and battery murder rape slander/defamation of a person's name or reputation breaking a promise ***Remember atonement is not punishment it is designed to help "heal" the victim or family. To restore them and the community to wholeness. The offender is given a chance to "make things right". (0) Comments

Posted: 7/5/2006 2:40:25 AM

A rarified sighting (sigh)

She walks in beauty,like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and eyes. Lord Byron "She Walks In Beauty" (0) Comments

Posted: 7/3/2006 10:00:33 PM

If atonement means "an eye for an eye" will we all be left blind

If we demand that people atone for the financial, emotional and physical injuries they inflict, would we make "wholeness and healing" our goal or seek bloody retribution--the kind of blind justice that leads to barbarism? If we used tribunals of elders (consisting of both male and female members of the victim's and offender's community),instead of lawyers and judges (detached strangers), to consider the proper form of atonement to be imposed, it is possible to achieve a meaningful healing for all concerned. Atonement allows the offender and victim to experience the kind of transformative forgiveness (i.e., the victime is able to release the emotional/spiritual pain associated with the injury while the offender breaks free of the chains of guilt and shame associated with the offense) that leads to reconciliation. In some cultures atonement is made by the payment of restitution. Be it goats or cattle, something of value is given to the injured party or his family. I don't like the idea of allowing people to pay "blood" money. This form of atonement would permit wealthy people to mitigate the consequences of their wrongful acts. Atonement should involve a personal sacrifice which fits the offense and offers the best hope of healing for the victim. This is a topic I plan to continue to explore in future discussions. (0) Comments

Posted: 7/3/2006 9:40:30 PM

A piece of a poem, a piece of a puzzle, an eternal good-bye

IT IS THE HOUR OF DEPARTURE, THE HARD COLD HOUR WHICH THE NIGHT FASTENS TO ALL THE TIMETABLES. Pablo Neruda "The Song of Despair" (0) Comments

Posted: 7/3/2006 4:38:35 AM

Is Atonement a precondition to forgiveness?

I've been thinkng alot about the process of forgiveness. There is a general belief that a person who has suffered a wrong is required to forgive the wrongdoer if asked to do so. Real forgiveness, when it occurs, should be a transformative experience for both the victim and offender. The most heartfelt confession is a hollow gesture unless it is followed by a period of atonement. An offending party must earn forgiveness by first assuming responsibility for restoring the victim to some measures of wholeness. Thus, to trigger the spiritual awakening I'm referring to, a wrongdoer must not only show remorse for his actions, he must be prepared to atone for the harm done. Exactly what constitutes atonement in this modern age will be a topic for future disscussion. (1) Comments

Posted: 7/3/2006 3:48:58 AM