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User:

churchofdeafrev (9304999)

Deaf Rev. Jimmy Discussions
Build Bridges of Understanding Even With Disagreement

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Name:

Church of Deaf Rev. Jimmy: Sunday Sermon discussio

Website:

Jimmy Dow, alter ego "Deaf Rev. Jimmy"

Location:

Portland, Oregon, United States

About:

BIO:

- James P. Dow, 53 years old
- Married
- 3 Children: 26, 23 and 8
- Avocations: Musician, Ethicist, Theologin, Psychologist, Philosopher
- Job: Software Engineer
- M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
- B.A. Psychology, San Diego State University

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CREATE THIS GROUP?

In re-assessing values at the end of 2005 (re-reading and reviewing Covey's book 7 Habbits with my son), I came to some shocking realizations. I'm middle-aged; the last 15 years I let my obsession with career and technology take control of my true values. I'm here to create, to develop friendships (virtual or otherwise), be an activist for those without a voice, shake-up Evangelicals (in a good way), support and give advice to others, be a human being once again, be an example for my children, get exposure to my songwriting and meet other musicians / artists of similar heart. I am not into "bashing" or "hating" anyone; I am into scarcasm, humor, occasional shock value to initiate thought and change in myself and others. I enjoy discussions and I try to think before I talk -- we already have enough "knee-jerk" reacting going on in this country.

PURPOSE:

- Discuss topics related to Religion, Philosophy, Ethics, Psychology, Social Issues, Building up each other and community.
- Tone: serious, funny, scarcastic, iconoclastic, lateral-thinking.
- Allow for thinking people to agree, disagree and to build bridges together to bring reconciliation and peace.
- I'll be posting a weekly "Sunday Sermon: Deaf Rev. Jimmy Preachin' With You.

TOPICS BANNED:

- Homosexuality / Heterosexuality in terms of moral or immoral: I've had it with that discussion. (equal rights is a fine discussion).
- Abortion: Not going to touch it. It's too emotional right even for the most objective/thinking person in the world. I'm here to build bridges and this topic tears people up right now.

OPEN TO:

- Anyone: regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, IQ, rich, poor...i.e. anyone.

BUT:

- Understand I will be expressing my opinions: if I am not prepared to backup my opionions in a non-emotional way, I will not express my opinions.

- Attacking people / groups inside or out is not allowed - you will be kicked out.

- You can use all the bad words you want, I don't care, as long as those bad words are aimed towards things or actions -- no bad words meant to attack people or groups (attack the actions). Example: "I think your behavior towards (blah..blah) is Fucking wrong! I respect your opinion, but here is why actions like that make me a little emotional.

- Back-up WHY you have a certain opionion or response: be accountable and know why you believe what you believe and expect that of others. Nothing wrong with saying, "Hmmm...I'm I can't explain why I feel that right now. Let me do some thinking and research off-line and then engage again..Thanks!".

SUGGESTIONS

- Challenge yourself to use words, ideas that are a re-statement. I work at doing this: it forces me to understand what a word/phrase really means and takes some of the built-in emotion related to certain words. Examples:

1. "I am proud to be a Christian (Jewish, Muslim, etc.). What is a Christian? Why are you proud?. My example:

a. The word "Christian" is now polluted and builds walls sometimes where I really want to connect and dialogue with someone.
- I use a longer: "I am a follower of Christ's teachings and believe what he said".

b. Proud of what?:
- There is nothing inherent in believing in the Gospel and following Christ's example to be proud of or ashamed of.
- If anything I'm ashamed that I am soo inconsistent in following his teachings.
- What this really means most of the time (or is interpreted as), "I'm separate from you, I'm defensive, I'm a sexually moral person.

Time is very short, my friends. Life is a blessing, a gift, use it wisely, without fear, as a peacemaker and with love.

Interests: