Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    My guess, is that this caller is suspicious of human nature.  It's like
    the typical line of a psychologist..."Tell me..how does that make you
    feel?  It writhes with insincerity, even when the person is sincerely
    asking.  
    
    Any time I'm in church and I meet a new person, I usually try to avoid
    saying, "Good to see you" or that sort of thing.  It is a proper
    salutation but is it sincere.  "How are you doing?"  Again...who cares.
    I usually say something like, "I hope you enjoy the fellowship, or 
    welcome to our church".  That is sincere.
    
    Touchy-Feeley, to some, represents a mode of insincerity.  It is
    unfortunate as it can quench the gift of encouragement.  Even when I
    see a politician on TV, friend or foe, I can't stand it when they smile
    at the camera...it's so fake or...touchy feeley.  
    
    Dick Cheney for president!!!! :-)
    
    -Jack 

    I usually try to say something along the lines of "I'm glad to see you
    here today."  Of course, that statement also covers the fact that I am
    bad with names and faces, so if the person has been there before, or if
    they are a regular member but usually attend the earlier service, I
    haven't embarassed myself.
    
    What's wrong with touchy feely.  Well, now, that's hard to say.  I
    think maybe it implies that the human reaction is more important than
    the relation with God.  I don't buy that myself, but I think it is a
    possible reaction.
    
    +++
    Debby

re Note 984.0 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE:

> Listening to a 'Christian' radio station the other day, I heard a talk show
> host and his caller make disparaging use of the term "touchy-feeley," as if
> "touchy-feeley" was by nature something to be avoided.
  
        I think when this term is used by Christian conservatives it
        usually is a code-word for doing things based on emotion vs.
        the "right" way of doing things based upon logic (or based
        upon literal Scripture).

        Bob

    That could be but it really isn't the case with me.  Both Michele and
    myself believe that emotion can be manifested via the Fruit of the
    Spirit.  
    
    However, at the same time, I try to make it a point to make my
    salutations as genuine as possible.  
    
    Bob, if you mean substituting touchy feely with fact, then yes I have
    to agree.  For example, the use of the term, "God is Love", a term used
    in hymns written by Spiritual giants, can be construed as touchy feely.
    It is true...God is Love, and the phrase is used loosely in all sects,
    religions, cults, and even the occult...depending on which god one
    worships.  I find the term, "God is Love" to be touchy feely because it
    is an extremely braod and general term.  The love of God contains
    within it all kinds of facets.  Temperance, Justice, Indignation,
    Compassion, Disciplining, Teaching...and many others that some people
    may construe as hate when it is in actuality, God's holiness
    intertwined with Love.  This is the pure agape God is and has.  
    
    -Jack

| <<< Note 984.3 by LGP30::FLEISCHER "without vision the people perish (DTN 297-5780, MRO3-3/L16)" >>>



| I think when this term is used by Christian conservatives it usually is a 
| code-word for doing things based on emotion vs. the "right" way of doing 
| things based upon logic (or based upon literal Scripture).

	Hmmm.... without ratholing too much I have a question for you Bob. You
can answer offline if you'd like. But can something that is only proven by
one's beliefs be based on logic? 

	Now to the base question. I think human emotions are needed. To take
out touchy-feelie kind of takes out the emotional aspect of us. If we keep
everything in, then we could be doing a lot of harm to ourselves. Whether it's
hurt or joy, the harm can be done. 

	I often wonder why people don't think psychology is good, yet going to a
priest, who basically does the same thing (and if I am not mistaken also has to
take psychology classes), yet that's ok.


Glen

    Thinking and Feeling are one indicator of the Myers Briggs scale.  I
    think what this topic really boils down to is personality preferences.
    
    Some people make decisions based more on the logical thought process.
    Some people make decisions based on feelings.
    
    The quality of the decision making is equal.  Somehow we integrate the
    non dominant indicator into our decision making.
    
    The T/F scale is the only scale of the Myers Briggs that shows
    significant differences based on Gender.  2/3 of woman base decisions
    on feelings.  2/3 of men based decisions on logical thought.  
    
    I happen to be a touchy feely type.  I make decisions based on my
    feelings.  If I need to I can support those decisions logically as the
    logic works in the background and not in the foreground.  When I need
    to I can call it into the foreground.  Just like windows.
    
    Making decisions based on feelings requires significant discipline. 
    First of all it requires that we are keenly in touch with our feelings,
    which is not easy to be.  Second it requires an understanding of
    oneself and one's feelings.  Because we are rational people also, we
    can be deliberate in deciding to make most of our decisions on feelings
    but deleberately not make some decisions based on feelings. I do this when
    I recognize an automatic response to a situation which I know is based on
    past situations and not the present in areas I want to change past outcomes.
    
    I do believe that it is essential to recognize these opposite poles of
    decision making.  It is important to note if we are strongly thinking
    oriented or strongly feeling oriented we may think that our way of
    making decisions is the best way or the only way.  We need to guard
    ourselves against this conclusion.
    
                                       Patricia

>    The T/F scale is the only scale of the Myers Briggs that shows
>    significant differences based on Gender.  2/3 of woman base decisions
>    on feelings.  2/3 of men based decisions on logical thought.  
    
    Interesting idea given the fact that women use more of their brains
    than men in information processing.

    .7  Say again?  News to me!
    
    Richard
    

    I'm talking left-brain, right-brain combinations -> symmetrical
    multiprocessing.