Democrats - Where to now?Written by Gary R. Hess
The presidential election just passed and as everyone knows by now George W. will be spending another 4 years in White House as Commander of Chief of world. Err America. Not only that, Republicans gained seats in both House and Senate.I have been thinking about this ever since election ended, but where exactly does Democratic Party go now? The Republicans went through a major change starting in 1964 to Present day making great strides, but what are Democrats going to do about this recent trend of thinking amongst American people? One suggestion is that Democrats start broadening spectrum a little more and start pulling in more religious rural users by using "moral values" or at least touching lightly on subject. As most liberal Democrats will agree, this is not something we as a party want to go through, it might help out more with right wing, but definitely not left. Other suggestions include dropping Gun Control agenda or simply start using more affective advertising attacking other side. I however believe one of these two should take place: 1) Make party more liberals. This would help out on libertarian vote as well as more leftist groups like socialists and Green party. As youth of America gets older Democratic Party needs to expand to include their views. The voting turnout was not as great as anticipated for this demographic, but if Democrats want to compete in New Age they must start preparing now. 2) Less bashing, more conceitedness. Many will agree that Kerry spent too much time talking about why Bush was not meant to be President of United States, but what he didn't do very well was explain his views and what he will do to be a better president. Time and time again when asked why didn't you vote, response has been "I don't like Bush, but I don't know Kerry's views."
| | The New Age MovementWritten by Skye Thomas
What is New Age Movement? It is similar to New Age Spirituality, but different enough to warrant its own definition. The New Age Movement is a belief that human race is all one. It is not about equality nor diversity. It is idea that your gender, age, religion, race, nor sexual orientation makes you better or worse then anyone else. The New Age Movement is moving away from US against THEM mentality. It is inclusive, open, detached from labels, and above all else, it's based in love not fear.At our deepest level, there are only two motivators - love and fear. Fear breeds hate, anger, vengeance, greed, violence, selfishness, and alienates us from truly connecting with spirit and with each other. Love breeds compassion, understanding, forgiveness, charity, gentleness, partnership, and a sense of connectedness with spirit and with each other. One can focus on either motivator and see logic behind it. Should you choose to see lack, poverty, and attacks towards your fellow man, it's easy to become fearful. It is part of survival of fittest. Fight or flight saved many a caveman to live another day and to breed more like himself. One can also argue that to see beauty and tenderness that humanity is known to share with each other that it is logical to love thy neighbor and to turn other cheek. There will always be intelligent arguments for both sides. We as a species have evolved enough to make our own decisions as to which will govern us as individuals. The New Age Movement proposes that as a collective people we are also able to make an educated enlightened decision as to whether we will be controlled by our fears or by our loves. Will we be a society of angry divided hateful individuals? Or will we be a global community of loving supportive people who honor each other's right to choose their own path? Like all political, religious, and social movements there are zealots and extremists among New Age Movement. In same way that all Christians are not white supremacists and all Pagans are not Satan worshippers, all New Agers are not aging hippies sitting around getting stoned and playing with crystals. Those who endorse New Age Movement are as diverse as any other group. Their one common belief is that love and true spirituality should lead us as a people, not fear and hatred of anything we deem as different from ourselves. The New Age Movement embraces teachings of Christ, teachings of Buddha, Native American teachings, ancient Celtic Pagan teachings, and modern science's latest findings and teachings. We are explorers trying to understand spirituality on a deeper nuts and bolts level. It is not enough to be told by our parents that one religion is right and all others are wrong. We have a desire to understand and to choose for ourselves what is or is not spiritual. The result is that many New Agers have found themselves holding an eclectic view of religion. Many Native Americans have blended teaching of Christ within their own beliefs. Many Pagans can see how much they have in common with Native American beliefs. It is not unusual for Catholics to feel a deep connection to Buddhist teachings. Forgive me for omitting so many other religions and beliefs but I am simply giving broad examples for sake of making a point. The New Age Movement was birthed from this exploration of each other's beliefs. How can we hate someone so much like ourselves?
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