I had heard a lot about MRT (Magnetic Resonance Therapy) but never knew anyone who had tried it. Recently I met two people at work who swear by MRT's positive benefits. So, today, I went to meet "Jim" (not his real name)who is the patent holder and owner of an MRT machine. A soft spoken man of European descent,Jim tells me in clear terms that MRT is not approved by FDA. He believes that MRT has the potential to cure even cancer, but he is afraid to talk about it or write about in public because, "I don't want to end up at the bottom of a lake." He believes that if a cure is found for cancer, thousands of people at the Aemriccan Cancer Society will be aout of a job and they don't want a cure for cancer. Besides, the drug companies that make millions from cancer drugs and chemo therapy don't want a cure for cancer for obvious reasons.
So, Jim helps who seek him out through private referrals. The basic premise of MRT is that there is palque build up in the body, especially in the joints, and removal of the plaque can bring healing. Arthritis,for example is caued by palaque (calcium) build up on the joiunts, resulting in arthritic pain. So, MRT is about exfoliating this calcification (plaque build up) in our body. If these calcium molecules can be broken up, loosened and flushed out of the body through the kidnedy, many diceases of the joints could be reversed.
After 15 minutes of consultation and signing some papers, I lied down on the "magnetic bed" and Jim turned on the machine. I could feel a slight, soothing vibration all around and felt extremely relaxed. I remained in that active magnetic field for 45 minutes. I was told to drink a gallon of water to flush out the toxins that are being broken down in my body. I drank and peed a lot today. I feel no negative effect. In fact, I feel good. Jim said it will take three or for sessions to fully detoxify the body. So, by the end of this month I should definitely feel the difference and will find out if MRT really works.
While some might dismiss it as an exercise in futility, I am willing to try it because, I don't claim to know all there is to know about medicine. I also don't believe that we have explored all our options for healing our body and mind. I have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing and it helps me explore all avenues of life.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Every Parent's Nightmare
We didn't know where our autistic son Johnny was for 2 hours. It was a horrible feeling of terror and helplessness. Johnny is 17 but he is mentally three.
He is not able to communicate meaningfully. Unsupervised, he can be lost, and the consequence of him ending up in the wrong place,is just unimaginable.
I arrived at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale at 6 PM today. I was supposed to meet Johnny and my wife Judy there. Johnny was to be brought there by the YMCA bus from Taravellah High School for their end of school year party and award ceremony. There were about 60 students and parents gathered, but Johnny was not to be found.
Before I arrived, Judy walked in and around Stranhan High School, frantically calling his name. When I walked into the school, she broke down and began to cry hysterically. "They can't find Johnny" she said,and broke down. She thought that Johnny was snatched by someone. He was in a strange school 22 miles away from home. All kinds of horrible scenarios went through her mind. Four YMCA officials were on the phone frantically calling the bus company, the school and I don't know who else.
I was horrified by their ashen faces. Johnny has not been accounted for since 4 PM and it was now 6.15 PM. In total PANIC, I called 911, a number I never wanted to dial. Watching my wife crying hysterically, I provided the 911 operator, information such as Johnny's age, height, weight, color, hair color and last seen address. It is a horrifying experience that no parent should go through. I am sobbing as I write this.
While I was talking with the 911 operator, word came from Taravellah High School Resource Police Officer that he had found Johnny sitting on the bench in front of the school. He must have been sitting there for an hour and a half, not knowing why every one had left without him and when he is going to be picked up.
I rushed to the school and saw him standing at the door waiting for his mom or dad to pick him up. He was calm and cool as if nothing had happened. I got the feeling that his angels were guarding him and watching over him.
I
He is not able to communicate meaningfully. Unsupervised, he can be lost, and the consequence of him ending up in the wrong place,is just unimaginable.
I arrived at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale at 6 PM today. I was supposed to meet Johnny and my wife Judy there. Johnny was to be brought there by the YMCA bus from Taravellah High School for their end of school year party and award ceremony. There were about 60 students and parents gathered, but Johnny was not to be found.
Before I arrived, Judy walked in and around Stranhan High School, frantically calling his name. When I walked into the school, she broke down and began to cry hysterically. "They can't find Johnny" she said,and broke down. She thought that Johnny was snatched by someone. He was in a strange school 22 miles away from home. All kinds of horrible scenarios went through her mind. Four YMCA officials were on the phone frantically calling the bus company, the school and I don't know who else.
I was horrified by their ashen faces. Johnny has not been accounted for since 4 PM and it was now 6.15 PM. In total PANIC, I called 911, a number I never wanted to dial. Watching my wife crying hysterically, I provided the 911 operator, information such as Johnny's age, height, weight, color, hair color and last seen address. It is a horrifying experience that no parent should go through. I am sobbing as I write this.
While I was talking with the 911 operator, word came from Taravellah High School Resource Police Officer that he had found Johnny sitting on the bench in front of the school. He must have been sitting there for an hour and a half, not knowing why every one had left without him and when he is going to be picked up.
I rushed to the school and saw him standing at the door waiting for his mom or dad to pick him up. He was calm and cool as if nothing had happened. I got the feeling that his angels were guarding him and watching over him.
I
Religious versus Spiritual
During an interview in 1998, Barbara Walters asked Monica Lewinsky: “Are you a religious person? Do you attend any church? She giggled and said: “I am more spiritual than religious.”
“I am more spiritual than religious” has almost become a fashion statement by people who don't want to make the sacrifices necessary to be part of a faith community or attend church. Is being spiritual and religious mutually exclusive? Can a person be religious without being spiritual or spiritual without being religious? Was Jesus religious or spiritual?
First of all let me define terms. Being religious means being part of an organized religion and following its teachings and rituals. Spirituality on the other hand, does not require formal membership in a particular religion. Being spiritual mostly refers to personal piety and private practices such as meditation, contemplation etc.
These days, there is no shortage of religion. Mega churches are everywhere. In my city, there are ten churches in a two mile radius. So, the external symbols of religion are everywhere. Do they make us truly religious or authentically spiritual is another question.
I have a good friend who was a staunch Catholic all his life. Last year, he stopped attending church, because he is “turned off by the hypocrisy of Christians.” He wrote: I could not understand why they would be so vocal against abortion, but not so against the war or the death penalty? I could not understand why they would be such big defenders of capitalism, small government, and survival of the fittest, while ignoring the poor, the widow, and the downtrodden, those Jesus instructed us to care for? I could not understand the way most vocal 'Christian leaders' responded to the events of 9/11 and supported a violent military intervention without asking any serious questions about why they attacked us? I did not see forgiveness and non-violence being taken seriously. In summary, I was turned off by the televangelists and the Heralds of Hate and the conservative talking heads on radio and TV. What I saw was a bunch of extremists, fundamentalists, literalists and radicals, spreading fear and misinformation. This mix of religion and politics really turned me off and unfortunately many people in the Church were embracing those views and so I left the Church.
I think my friend raises many valid points. I also think that he is throwing the baby with the bath water. Yes, organized religion has its flaws and faults. But isolating oneself from a community is not the answer. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live out our faith in the context of a community. That is why Apostle Paul described Christians as the “body of Christ.” As members of the body of Christ, we have so much to give to others and receive from them. It is in the context of a community that our spirituality is tested, corrected and perfected.
So, it does not have to be an 'either or' position. We don't have to choose between spirituality without church attendance or church attendance without spirituality. We can be both; in fact, we must be both, because, religion without spirituality is empty and spirituality without religion can be self-serving. For many people, when they say “I am spiritual,” it is very often an excuse for not attending church. They don't do much to tend to their spirit at home either.
As disciples of Jesus, we are not meant to be solitary purveyors of individualistic spirituality. We are called to be companions in a journey of faith that is experienced, lived and shared in the context of a community.
“I am more spiritual than religious” has almost become a fashion statement by people who don't want to make the sacrifices necessary to be part of a faith community or attend church. Is being spiritual and religious mutually exclusive? Can a person be religious without being spiritual or spiritual without being religious? Was Jesus religious or spiritual?
First of all let me define terms. Being religious means being part of an organized religion and following its teachings and rituals. Spirituality on the other hand, does not require formal membership in a particular religion. Being spiritual mostly refers to personal piety and private practices such as meditation, contemplation etc.
These days, there is no shortage of religion. Mega churches are everywhere. In my city, there are ten churches in a two mile radius. So, the external symbols of religion are everywhere. Do they make us truly religious or authentically spiritual is another question.
I have a good friend who was a staunch Catholic all his life. Last year, he stopped attending church, because he is “turned off by the hypocrisy of Christians.” He wrote: I could not understand why they would be so vocal against abortion, but not so against the war or the death penalty? I could not understand why they would be such big defenders of capitalism, small government, and survival of the fittest, while ignoring the poor, the widow, and the downtrodden, those Jesus instructed us to care for? I could not understand the way most vocal 'Christian leaders' responded to the events of 9/11 and supported a violent military intervention without asking any serious questions about why they attacked us? I did not see forgiveness and non-violence being taken seriously. In summary, I was turned off by the televangelists and the Heralds of Hate and the conservative talking heads on radio and TV. What I saw was a bunch of extremists, fundamentalists, literalists and radicals, spreading fear and misinformation. This mix of religion and politics really turned me off and unfortunately many people in the Church were embracing those views and so I left the Church.
I think my friend raises many valid points. I also think that he is throwing the baby with the bath water. Yes, organized religion has its flaws and faults. But isolating oneself from a community is not the answer. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live out our faith in the context of a community. That is why Apostle Paul described Christians as the “body of Christ.” As members of the body of Christ, we have so much to give to others and receive from them. It is in the context of a community that our spirituality is tested, corrected and perfected.
So, it does not have to be an 'either or' position. We don't have to choose between spirituality without church attendance or church attendance without spirituality. We can be both; in fact, we must be both, because, religion without spirituality is empty and spirituality without religion can be self-serving. For many people, when they say “I am spiritual,” it is very often an excuse for not attending church. They don't do much to tend to their spirit at home either.
As disciples of Jesus, we are not meant to be solitary purveyors of individualistic spirituality. We are called to be companions in a journey of faith that is experienced, lived and shared in the context of a community.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day: A Holy Day
I am writing this on Earth Day 2010. Few years ago, I would not have noticed this day, or paid any attention to it, let alone write about it. So much has changed in my spiritual life that I consider earth day as important as Easter Sunday, Christmas day and many other religious holy days.
It is not because I am a new age guru, or a tree hugger or ardent environmentalist, which are usually used as pejorative terms. But, it is because, I have reflected deeply about the unfathomable beauty, mystery and magnificence of this moving, yes, moving blue dot in space which holds me up as God holds me tenderly in the palm of Her hands.
I have lived on earth 21,170 days and it has never failed to provide for me: air, water and food, the three most basic ingredients needed for my very existence. Thank you holy mother earth. As I walk gently on this holy ground, I join with prophet Isaiah this morning to say: “The whole earth proclaims the glory of God.”
Let us take a closer look at our home planet. We usually experience it as stationary, because that is what our five senses tell us. But if we could stop for a moment and reflect, we will realize that we are moving, rather spinning, and yet staying put...that is a huge mystery worthy of adoration itself.
The earth spins around her axis at the speed of 1,000 miles an hour at the equator. To spin around once takes 24 hours. The spinning makes our days and nights. But as we spin, we are also on another circle journey as we orbit round the sun. Traveling at the speed of 66,600 miles an hour, this second journey takes 365 days to complete. In the annual pilgrimage around the sun, we travel 595 million miles. Such an awareness of distance, speed and order creates a sense of awe and wonder.
Consider what it must have been like for astronaut Edgar Mitchell as he gazed down on the home planet and allowed his feelings to find words: On the return trip home, gazing 240,000 miles of space towards the stars and the planet from which I had come, I suddenly experienced the universe as intelligent, loving and harmonious. My view of the planet was a glimpse of divinity.
Perhaps what most of us need is a pilgrimage to outer space, to have our eyes and hearts opened afresh to see the sacredness behind and above the appearances and to reawaken that inner light buried beneath our limited ways of thinking.
It is worthy of note that Mitchell uses the word 'divinity' but not 'God'. God is a divisive term for many. Religions people fight over their own definitions of God and make declarations like, “My God is bigger than your God.” But, if we can speak of divinity it has an an all embracing quality to it. When we use 'divinity' instead of “God' what is at work here is 'spirituality' not 'religion.' And our goal is to evolve more each day as spiritual beings not merely as religious people.
When we see the earth as a whole, from outer space, we can clearly see the connectedness and interdependence of all of us who live upon this planet. We have created imaginary boundaries, dividing ourselves into countries and states, forgetting that in reality we are all living together, breathing the same air, drinking from the same water, eating food grown from the same earth. We share everything on this planet, whether we are conscious of it or not, with other people, and those people are our brothers and sisters. Seeing earth as a whole brings new meaning into Christian concepts like “Communion of Saints” and “Body of Christ.”
When we realize that any sense of separation we have from one another is truly an illusion, we will naturally begin to make more conscious choices in our daily lives. The simple act of preparing food, or deciding how to dispose of our refuse, can be done with the consciousness that whatever we do will affect all our brothers and sisters, no matter how far away they live, as well as the planet herself.
When we contemplate the earth in her wholeness, we see the bigger picture, which is, every one of us, living on her body. We are connected to one another in the most intimate way, because we literally share our living space. As we become aware of the reality of our interdependency, sins of racism, sexism, and homophobia will disappear and much of the discord that we see now will dissipate and we will live in a more harmonious world.
Let earth day inspire us to become holy and wholesome.
Rev. Dr. Paul Veliyathil
It is not because I am a new age guru, or a tree hugger or ardent environmentalist, which are usually used as pejorative terms. But, it is because, I have reflected deeply about the unfathomable beauty, mystery and magnificence of this moving, yes, moving blue dot in space which holds me up as God holds me tenderly in the palm of Her hands.
I have lived on earth 21,170 days and it has never failed to provide for me: air, water and food, the three most basic ingredients needed for my very existence. Thank you holy mother earth. As I walk gently on this holy ground, I join with prophet Isaiah this morning to say: “The whole earth proclaims the glory of God.”
Let us take a closer look at our home planet. We usually experience it as stationary, because that is what our five senses tell us. But if we could stop for a moment and reflect, we will realize that we are moving, rather spinning, and yet staying put...that is a huge mystery worthy of adoration itself.
The earth spins around her axis at the speed of 1,000 miles an hour at the equator. To spin around once takes 24 hours. The spinning makes our days and nights. But as we spin, we are also on another circle journey as we orbit round the sun. Traveling at the speed of 66,600 miles an hour, this second journey takes 365 days to complete. In the annual pilgrimage around the sun, we travel 595 million miles. Such an awareness of distance, speed and order creates a sense of awe and wonder.
Consider what it must have been like for astronaut Edgar Mitchell as he gazed down on the home planet and allowed his feelings to find words: On the return trip home, gazing 240,000 miles of space towards the stars and the planet from which I had come, I suddenly experienced the universe as intelligent, loving and harmonious. My view of the planet was a glimpse of divinity.
Perhaps what most of us need is a pilgrimage to outer space, to have our eyes and hearts opened afresh to see the sacredness behind and above the appearances and to reawaken that inner light buried beneath our limited ways of thinking.
It is worthy of note that Mitchell uses the word 'divinity' but not 'God'. God is a divisive term for many. Religions people fight over their own definitions of God and make declarations like, “My God is bigger than your God.” But, if we can speak of divinity it has an an all embracing quality to it. When we use 'divinity' instead of “God' what is at work here is 'spirituality' not 'religion.' And our goal is to evolve more each day as spiritual beings not merely as religious people.
When we see the earth as a whole, from outer space, we can clearly see the connectedness and interdependence of all of us who live upon this planet. We have created imaginary boundaries, dividing ourselves into countries and states, forgetting that in reality we are all living together, breathing the same air, drinking from the same water, eating food grown from the same earth. We share everything on this planet, whether we are conscious of it or not, with other people, and those people are our brothers and sisters. Seeing earth as a whole brings new meaning into Christian concepts like “Communion of Saints” and “Body of Christ.”
When we realize that any sense of separation we have from one another is truly an illusion, we will naturally begin to make more conscious choices in our daily lives. The simple act of preparing food, or deciding how to dispose of our refuse, can be done with the consciousness that whatever we do will affect all our brothers and sisters, no matter how far away they live, as well as the planet herself.
When we contemplate the earth in her wholeness, we see the bigger picture, which is, every one of us, living on her body. We are connected to one another in the most intimate way, because we literally share our living space. As we become aware of the reality of our interdependency, sins of racism, sexism, and homophobia will disappear and much of the discord that we see now will dissipate and we will live in a more harmonious world.
Let earth day inspire us to become holy and wholesome.
Rev. Dr. Paul Veliyathil
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Holy Week Vs Disney World!
Tomorrow,I am going to Orlando. The primary purpose is to meet up with my wife's sister and her family from New York, who are visiting the theme parks and have family time. But we will also visit Universal Studios which is going to be a 'lot of fun.'
But as a Catholic and especially as a former priest, having fun at the beginning of the Holy Week, is unthinkable, almost sinful! I grew up in a traditional Catholic family in India. We observed the season of Lent with great austerity and penance. We attended church three days a week. We fasted twice during Lent. No meat was eaten the enitre period of six weeks. Fish was not eaten on Saturdays. But Saturday was market day and fish was purchased and my mom would cook it, but won't serve it. It was a great penance to see fish curry in the kithen, but forbidden to eat. Lent was harsh and no fun was allowed.
As a priest, Holy Week was the busiest time of the year. I heard confessions for endless hours, did adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday, fasted the entire day on Good Friday and spent most of the time in church.
But at the beginning of this Holy Week, I am going to Disney World for fun! How do I deal with the cognitive dissonance of Holy Week and Fun? First of all, I don't belive that the God I experience has anything against clean fun. But more importantly, contrary to popular belief, going to Disney World is NOT fun for me. I hate the long lines, I hate the over prized hot dogs in the theme parks, and I hate the rides. In fact, going to Disney World is 'penance' for me and therefore, this is the best thing I could do to observe Holy Week. And I am not kidding!
But the other side is that I want to be with my family during these days. I think it is holy to be with your spouse and children who really enjoy the theme parks and watch them being happy. I have come to realize that my life is not all about ME. In that sense, what better way to start Holy Week when Jesus gave himself up for others by giving a little of myself?
But as a Catholic and especially as a former priest, having fun at the beginning of the Holy Week, is unthinkable, almost sinful! I grew up in a traditional Catholic family in India. We observed the season of Lent with great austerity and penance. We attended church three days a week. We fasted twice during Lent. No meat was eaten the enitre period of six weeks. Fish was not eaten on Saturdays. But Saturday was market day and fish was purchased and my mom would cook it, but won't serve it. It was a great penance to see fish curry in the kithen, but forbidden to eat. Lent was harsh and no fun was allowed.
As a priest, Holy Week was the busiest time of the year. I heard confessions for endless hours, did adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday, fasted the entire day on Good Friday and spent most of the time in church.
But at the beginning of this Holy Week, I am going to Disney World for fun! How do I deal with the cognitive dissonance of Holy Week and Fun? First of all, I don't belive that the God I experience has anything against clean fun. But more importantly, contrary to popular belief, going to Disney World is NOT fun for me. I hate the long lines, I hate the over prized hot dogs in the theme parks, and I hate the rides. In fact, going to Disney World is 'penance' for me and therefore, this is the best thing I could do to observe Holy Week. And I am not kidding!
But the other side is that I want to be with my family during these days. I think it is holy to be with your spouse and children who really enjoy the theme parks and watch them being happy. I have come to realize that my life is not all about ME. In that sense, what better way to start Holy Week when Jesus gave himself up for others by giving a little of myself?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Historic Day
I am so happy today, the day, the historic health care reform bill was signed into law. About half of the population of this country is very happy about it and the other half is very upset about it. Two opposite reactions to the same reality. The Democratic party leader calls the bill the "best thing to happen to the country in a century" while the Republican leader calls it "armaggedon." Why?
One of the main argument against the bill was that it is too expensive? The same people who call the health care bill "too expensive" did not say a word against it when we spent a trillion dollars on a war of choice! No one complains when we spent 685 billion dollars a year for the military budget alone. So, it is not about the money. It is about priorities.
It is embarrasing for a nation that prides itself to be the most civilized, not to provide affordable health insurance to nearly fifty million of its citizens. For a nation that some describes itself as a "Christian nation", it is blatantly unchristian to stand in the way of providing health care for the least among us. Every legislator who voted against this bill has excellent health insurance. None of them go to bed at nightg worrired about losing their house if they get seriously ill. The corporations and intrest groups that tried so hard to defeat this bill are the wealthiest in the nation. Those who are worried about an increase in their taxes are also among the richest.
What happened to our compassion for others? Why wouldn't we want to share at least one hundredth of the comfort and security that we already enjoy with those who have nothing. The irony is that the people who listen to the propaganda against the bill are cutting the branch they are sitting on. They are listening to talk show hosts who are millionaires. They have great health insurance plans.
People need to wake up and stop listening to propaganda and think for themselves. Please stop voting against your own interests.
One of the main argument against the bill was that it is too expensive? The same people who call the health care bill "too expensive" did not say a word against it when we spent a trillion dollars on a war of choice! No one complains when we spent 685 billion dollars a year for the military budget alone. So, it is not about the money. It is about priorities.
It is embarrasing for a nation that prides itself to be the most civilized, not to provide affordable health insurance to nearly fifty million of its citizens. For a nation that some describes itself as a "Christian nation", it is blatantly unchristian to stand in the way of providing health care for the least among us. Every legislator who voted against this bill has excellent health insurance. None of them go to bed at nightg worrired about losing their house if they get seriously ill. The corporations and intrest groups that tried so hard to defeat this bill are the wealthiest in the nation. Those who are worried about an increase in their taxes are also among the richest.
What happened to our compassion for others? Why wouldn't we want to share at least one hundredth of the comfort and security that we already enjoy with those who have nothing. The irony is that the people who listen to the propaganda against the bill are cutting the branch they are sitting on. They are listening to talk show hosts who are millionaires. They have great health insurance plans.
People need to wake up and stop listening to propaganda and think for themselves. Please stop voting against your own interests.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Orignial Sin or Original Blessing
I am so excited these days as my book "God is Plural: Sermons for an Emerging Church" arrived in my hands two days ago. The experience of holding my book in my hands for the first time, was as thrilling as holding my first child in my hands seventeen years ago. I had promised to myself that I will not write a book, until I had something unique to say, because I refused to add to the destruction of trees. Those who listened to my sermons urged me to put them in writing and after having have done that,I feel really good.
Today was my first outing with the book in hand to attend a palliative care seminar at Broward General Medical Center. I sat next to a registered nurse by the name of "Donna". I had a book in my folder which was transparent. She saw the cover - God is Plural - and was curious."I have never heard that expression before," she said. I urged her to peruse the book and in minutes, she wanted to buy a copy. I was thrilled.
Donna told me that she was especially touched by one line inside the book that said: "No child is born a sinner." She thought that was a "liberating message." All through her life, she had heard from preachers and teachers that we are born in sin.
How could any one look at an innocent baby and call him or her sinner? Original sin is a Christian dogma concocted by St.Augustine based on the fact that children are the products of sexual acts which he considered 'dirty and sinful.' Augustine who led a life of sexual promiscuity and fathered an illegitimate child prior to his conversion,must have been expressing his guilt in formulating the theory of original sin. I don't think that we have to be bound by Augustine's thought as a paradigm to determine our lives today. I belive that, we come into this world, with an original blessing. The fact that he enters a sinful world, does not make the child a sinner.
Attaching the sinner label to an innocent child on the day of her entrance into the world is an insult and injustice to that child. Let us say that we come into this world as a blessing and the purpose and goal of our life is to be a blessing for others.
Today was my first outing with the book in hand to attend a palliative care seminar at Broward General Medical Center. I sat next to a registered nurse by the name of "Donna". I had a book in my folder which was transparent. She saw the cover - God is Plural - and was curious."I have never heard that expression before," she said. I urged her to peruse the book and in minutes, she wanted to buy a copy. I was thrilled.
Donna told me that she was especially touched by one line inside the book that said: "No child is born a sinner." She thought that was a "liberating message." All through her life, she had heard from preachers and teachers that we are born in sin.
How could any one look at an innocent baby and call him or her sinner? Original sin is a Christian dogma concocted by St.Augustine based on the fact that children are the products of sexual acts which he considered 'dirty and sinful.' Augustine who led a life of sexual promiscuity and fathered an illegitimate child prior to his conversion,must have been expressing his guilt in formulating the theory of original sin. I don't think that we have to be bound by Augustine's thought as a paradigm to determine our lives today. I belive that, we come into this world, with an original blessing. The fact that he enters a sinful world, does not make the child a sinner.
Attaching the sinner label to an innocent child on the day of her entrance into the world is an insult and injustice to that child. Let us say that we come into this world as a blessing and the purpose and goal of our life is to be a blessing for others.
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