Lets

review shall we?

Sorry, lots to say this AM :-).

Materialism

The evil to me seems to come from the wanting, the craving, the desire of having material things, or the hoarding of them, or the thinking your life is worthless if you were somehow to end up without them. Having nice things isn't the problem so much as the envy or jealousy we have of others who have things we don't. There's your problem. Understanding that they could all be gone in the flash of an eye and life would go on seems to be the key. This helps keeps us grounded. Things are things. Enjoying what we are able while we're here is one thing, to build your entire existence around them or want things because someone else has them is another.

Sexual Immorality

I think people should be comfortable with their sexuality. I don't think people should feel guilt and shame about it. I think any entity that would cause you to feel guilt and shame about something that is a part of who you are and how you were created should be questioned. "God wants a personal relationship with you", how many times have we heard that? "Except when it comes to this topic he does" is what they seem to mean. 

Religious Pluralism

I'm a Christian. It took me years before I could say the Apostles creed in it's entirety and be comfortable with it. Seriously, like over a decade. I firmly believe what it says or I wouldn't say it. I believe Christ was the son of God, born of a virgin, died, arose on the third day etc. If seeing some truth in the teachings of Buddha, Rumi and others makes me some kind of heretic, or dooms me to a life of damnation and hellfire? Then so be it, I'll gladly accept that fate.

Institutions

The fact of the matter is institutions, any of them, rarely blame themselves for their own demise, it always has to be some outside force causing their ruin. 

Seems like the main tenant of any institution is self-preservation. 

Okay, movin on :-).

Love you Lucy.