The posting by JC Howell and comments by our temporary host on the
LO9225 was disturbing. I would like to state that in a learning
community of this type, threads may get distorted from our own
perspective, but remains viable across a larger population. While I
have not experienced the 'trauma' JCH is experiencing on this
thread, I sypathise with her view. On my part, I have been listening
into this tread for a greater understanding of LO. In the process I
have understood a bit more about Christianity and other religions.
The unintended consequence of listening in to this thread!
I have been reflecting on a linkage between Christianity and LO for
a while. Was unable to frame it adequately and thus had put off this
attempt. I will put an extra effort to explain what I mean by
stating that "I am listening into this thread to understand more
about LO".
I do not have a Bible in my reach right now, so no quotes. Take the
case of spreading the Gospel to the gentiles(non Jews) in the early
history of the church. Apostle Paul and Peter and Co. had a conflict.
The Church(undevided) had a mission. To spread the Good news to all
the earth. The gentiles(non Jews) were to be included in the saving
grace of God. A free gift to mankind. But this gift is possible only
on accepting Jesus as your saviour. Paul is devinely assigned the
ministry to the gentiles. And, Peter to the Jews. There arises a
conflict between Peter and Paul. The way the Apostles worked out this
difference is an excellent example of skilled dialogue between Paul
and Peter and Co.. They worked through the mental models that were
preventing the furthering of the good news. Paul openly exposes
Peter's hypocrasy in succumbing to the Judaiser Christians. Paul
questioned the requirement that gentiles(non Jews) had to become a
Jew before being able to get the gift of salvation. Eventually, they
work out their differences. The dialogue produced one of the most
far reaching decisions about getting on with their primary mission.
Paul's argument helps us to review the way in which the existing
mental model was changed. He was able to present the argument
because, he himself was a converted thinker on the same issue.The
result was team learning. The Apostles were empowered individuals
and yet had a way of working out teams that went out into their
ministries. Reading Acts of the Apostles, Galatians and Romans from
the Bible may help the interested make their own conclusions.
I am not too happy about my ability to convey what I wanted to say.
Many will not understand the context. Any way I hope it helps atleast
a few.
In stating this analysis from the Bible, I am not implying the
superiority of Christanity as a religion. I think as far as this
list is concerned, similar lessons can be learnt from other religions
as well. As far as the analysis is concerned it exposes my mental
model. I think my mental model is my current truth. As David and JCH
have pointed out, we need to test our truth and experience. However,
kinked my truth may be, I am not ashamed of it. I am open to hear
and make amends and choices. Fortunately, I have the freedom of
making my choices. That, I think is also the spirit behind a LO.
benjamin@anand.nddb.ernet.in
NDDB>Anand>388001>India.
--"Thomas P Benjamin" <BENJAMIN@anand.nddb.ernet.in>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>