In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

I think that TN meant why having discussions in this forum if one finds the material offered by L/L Research unreliable? This indicates that he does find it reliable.

Can you explain what you mean by "reliable"?

Ah, but sometimes people have discussions in order to convince other selves about the "wrongness" in other's thoughs, and "rightness" in their own. No? =)

I don't see anyone doing that here.

I would like to add to what TN wrote, and that is to use the material in order to convince other people of wrongness in other's thoughts/opinions and rightness in their own, by quoting Ra/Q'uo. I am not talking about the facts, but interpretations/understandings/opinions. And I am not talking about attempts of understanding where an assistence is asked, but of a clear, already made up, and firm opinion/s, which in some cases are underlined with quote/s that are digged out from archives in order to establish the "rightness" in their own thought/s.

I agree that we should all be open to new understandings.

But having convictions about certain principles, isn't the same thing as being closed-minded. One can "have their mind made up" about certain principles, yet still be open to new understandings which don't change the core convictions, but can help broaden one's perspective and add texture to those convictions.

Regarding using the material to back up one's points, it works both ways.

If the material isn't to be used to back up one's views, then what is the point of having a discussion based on study of the material?

On the other hand, I don't think it's fair or accurate to assume someone doesn't consider the material 'reliable' just because they question it, or interpret it differently.

If the material is considered 'reliable' and to be used as a doctrine, then it's expected that it will be quoted to back up one's views. But even then, it will be interpreted differently.

I personally don't consider the material to be an infallible authority. I do however see it as a guideline, and in fact is the foundation of my entire spirituality. That's me. Not everyone here feels the same way about the material. And some (like me) don't grant the same degree of reliability to the Q'uo channelings as we do to the Ra material.

That doesn't mean we don't consider it reliable. It means we understand that no material, not even Ra, is 100% free of distortion. The amount of distortion may vary.