All Comments (4)

I think Mr. Otterson was bringing up the holiday of Thanksgiving as an example of a holiday that was started as a well intended and meaningful day. There are still some homes across this nation that are truly grateful on this day and consequently, all others - Christian or not. The eastern concept of Karma, societies views, etc... they are all "ways of thinking" - a "religion" - if you will. We are free to choose for ourselves what we will believe. Karma, society, God... It is through my beliefs that gives me hope and purpose - my religion. It helps me to see, with fresh eyes, the grandeur of my surroundings and the marvelous creations from the ultimate creator. Because I strive to know Him and to live his words I want to be a better person - everyday. To improve myself and to help those around me is what I aim for on a daily basis. Would I be this way if I didn't have my religion? I don't know...but I'm sure glad I do. You can't fault a religion for giving people hope and the desire to do and be good. I choose to believe this because it feels right to me, honest, sincere and everything that's good with the world.

To HSGOERL;

I am not a Christian, nor am I even a religious man. At least not in the classical sense.

I think you are confusing spirituality with religion. While they are not mutually exclusive, they are not always one and the same.

Do you not believe that human beings have a soul, or spirit? I certainly believe we do. Did you every become awe-struck by a magnificent sunset, or a beautiful woman or a play by Shakespere or a Mozart symphony? It is our spirit's recognition of the genius and purity of the Divine Sentiment.

You don't need dogma or ritual to feel these things. Why do we bury our dead with rites and family gatherings and freinds? Why do some people put their own lives at risk to save a perfect stranger? If someone tossed an infant at you, would you not do your best to catch the child?

These are all examples of spirituality in our everyday lives. You don't need religion to realize you have a spirit , or a soul.

Why bother yourself about what others do or do not worship. It is enough to live just by the simplicity of the golden rule, or the eastern concept of Karma or the basic law of the streets, what goes around comes around.

Spirituality is as natural as walking or sleeping and breathing. It is a means to appreciate the beauty in this world and the goodness in others.

"Yes, I think it wonderful that on Thanksgiving Day, the homeless and poor are offered free meals by the more fortunate. That is truly a Christian act."

Respectfully that is also a Muslim, a Buddhist, or an atheist act. It is the result of the fact that man is, among other things, a naturally tribal, social and empathetic being. There may be both selfish and altruistic motives at work as well.

I get tired of Christians and other believers laying claim to having invented morality and taking credit for all good acts.

Man, as an intelligent being is entirely capable of achieving both gratitude and generosity without the need for spirituality.

Gratitude, I believe, is a natural result of spirituality. Gratitude is an action word, a verbiage of the soul.
Unfortunately, Thanksgiving, for most of Americans is simply another day set aside each year, to gorge one's self on turkey, then, sufficiently sated, sit down and watch a sport on television that entails two groups of people doing their best to hurt each other, for points. A modern day gladitorial event. This is not my definition of gratitude.
Gratitude is best expressed through our actions, everyday actions. Not simply a given day on the calender for families to get together. Gratitude should flow naturally from the soul.
Gratitude is not the motivator, but the end result. Anybody can say thank you and mean it, or not.
A graceful appreciation toward others, in our everyday actions is the very best way to express our thanks. We should not be gracious, benevolent and kind to others with the expectations of a reward. Especially only one day a year.
Thankfulness is the end reult, not the means to that end.
Yes, I think it wonderful that on Thanksgiving Day, the homeless and poor are offered free meals by the more fortunate. That is truly a Christian act. But what about the day after Thanksgiving, and the day after that, and the day after that, and so on and so on. Our kindness and respect toward others should be a daily action. The resultant thanks by those others is one of the natural wonders of spirituality.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Everyday.