It's quite quiet at the moment because people are on vacation but feel
free to get in there and make some noise...

You can join the list here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freedom-of-thought

We've had some interesting discussions, but it would be fun to get the
input of people from cosmicfool. There is plenty of controversy here,
and that's what we need if the list is to be a useful resource.

We're all FREE 2 THINK,...

so what's the point?

Do you NEED MORE "I think I was a cult member" groupies?

careful, careful!

Do we really like the word "discernment"???

Isn't this a word we associate with

ummhumm

Handy synonyms: acumen, perceptiveness, perceptivity, insight, perspicacity, perspicaciousness, awareness, discrimination, apperception, apprehension, understanding, astuteness, sagacity.

Informal - good eye.

Jade

Thanks for the comments on the use of terminologies. It is important to re-think these concepts which have been heavily presented via teachers who we now know are quite questionable sources of wisdom and information.

Discrimination, discernment, judgement, these are all terms that I know still drip with the "Love of Lazaris" in my mind. I spent a lot of time pondering the L teachings on these words and the meaning and concept behind them. So much so that I will be the first to admit that I'm not sure which understandings are mine and which came from the Curtain with the Insurance Salesman Behind It.

Thanks for the synonyms Jade, and for keeping your antenna up for any sneak invasions.

Katie

I'm feeling rushed and anxious right now....I'm leaving, to spend time in the mountains with indians!....at least 2 mos, but I intuit it will be much more.

If you're still here, I'll be back when I get back, but don't see that right now.

To JADED:

Im heartfully sorry, for whatever your assumed trauma's are. But the word DISCERNMENT is earthy rooted in a dictionary that you own. What's to like (or not) about a word???

Pete: who's alter are you? It doesn't really matter to me that much, I do think it's clue for you if you decide to be Pete though.....I'm about to disappear, at least for a while, (Re: the bridge of belief) ...I wish you well, and KNOW you'll 'get it' eventually.

The same applies to Ted, and Katie and all ov you......it's inevitable, but also not important to me right now.

[Stevie: you're the only one who can break my current law, if you want to...come to Mex and seek 'Maria of the Mountains' and you'll find me ... XOX]
Love 2 U all,

Lazaris certainly has taken it upon himself to hijach our language. "Judge" is an appropriate synonym for "discern". But Lazaris defines "judgement" as an "opinion reached without benefit of all the facts" (actually, that's pre-judgement in English) or aa associated "better-than". The dictionary does not refer to egotism or lack of facts in it's definition of judgement. Who is Lazaris to re-define our terms?

What astonishes me is that I almost never refered to the dictionary when I heard Lazaris provide a definition. That's dangerous - when one controls language, one controls thought processes. Words and concepts that that didn't have a Lazaris spin, I would dissect and extrapolate on. But I defered to Lazaris' "wisdom" where he (Jach) was so bold as to put forth his own definitions as though they were gospel truth.

Unique definitions of common terms is one symptom of cultism. It's a way to distiguish who is in the cult. But, more so, it's a way to skew the thinking of cult members.

Lazaris' whole rap about judgement is an individual's philosphy, not a teaching of a universal Truth. It happens that I pretty much agree with L's rap, but it's still not a teaching, it's a rap. It's a rap that any introspective person could have come up with. In fact, I think I probably spouted a lot of the same stuff before I heard of Lazaris. The difference is that we mortals discuss this stuff as it is our opinion, and we listen for others' opinions in response. "Lazaris" puts it forth as if it was delivered on stone tablets from on-high.

Likewise with "ego", "love", "success", "shame", "joy", and any number of concepts the Grand Orb arrogantly spun to suit their own agenda.

I love you're analogy's....bring your famli..to the showroom....no (conceivable)harm will come your way....though you may in your ignorance die before....

by choice, your my final ( and I'm glad you showed up! ) A Dios!!!

What's coming our way is not at all in this paradigm.

I'm off to soften the blow!

Imagine, in 10 mos.....NO SOUND.....at least as most know it. !

I honor you Ted, for your dedication to Katie, AND I want you to know it counts way more than I've given you credit for before now.

V

Tim

quote:

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Actually "discernment" reminds me of certain rather controlling churches. Members are allowed to "discern" but not to "judge". (I'll leave out the tedious Biblical argument.)

---

This is exactly what J/L enacted for his flock. Yet synonyns for "judgement" are: decision, opinion, discernment, discretion, prudence, understanding, penetration, perception, wisdom, sagacity, good sense, common sense, level headedness. (Of course, it can be condemnation, but more words are positive or neutral like those I listed).

Seems like a perfectly good word to me. However, I can understand why J/L would not want us to be exercising good "judgement" when it comes to the Orb and C:S. No, he prefers that it be obliterated from FOls' vocabularies. And, that thoughts wear little uniforms, as expressed by designated language.

Jade