Thanks Thistle.Quote
thistle
Hi All
Keir you wrote
Its rather a common myth that destructive organizations cannot do any good deeds. This doesnt mean we should automatically dismiss any criticism of these groups, dissenting voices or that it's impossible for them to have any destructive elements to them. )
brilliant point! absolutely profound! simple straightforward yet quintessential!
it reminds me of a friend who said he hated hollywood movies because it's always like the good guy has "goodie" tatooed on his forehead and the bad guy has "baddie" on his
whereas in reality there is good and bad in everyone and the idea is to keep the good and nurture it and discourage the bad and do all we can to help it die off
i think you've hit on a key point
when we put gurus up or see ourselves as the "good guy" we become blind to the other side and fall into traps we would avoid if we acknowledged both sides of the coin
this thinking like "oh well now i've got the truth i'm 100% legit" is at the heart of a lot of deception i think
i'm taking from your point that i need to examine everything, both my own attitudes and doctrines and those of others no matter how great they are in some areas
in fact the better they are in one area means i have to be all the more on guard because i will tend to accept their error because i like the bits they get right
yes test all things and hold fast to the good once you've examined it and approved it as good in your own life and amongst friends