"We should lead by the power of our example, not the example of our power"?

Question

How do you feel this quote might apply to atheism, religion, and spirituality?

Answer 1

definitely not d**k Cheney

Answer 2

27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

From the Book of James.

Jesus did not say anything about being a Drum or a speaker he Told us to be the light.

The Light can be Seen with the eyes. Just as Action is seen with the eyes.Feeding somone who has no food is pretty visable.

I know a few athiests who are lights.

I know a few people of Ritual who are lights

Spirituality IS the light the act of being the light, living with compasion and helping each other.Admiting that we are powerless without each other.

God or NO God the important thing is to know that YOU are not God.

  

Answer 3

We should. In a geopolitical sense both may be necessary at some times.

In a religious sense, maybe less so.

Answer 4

Works very well on a personal level. Doesn't work at all on a geopolitical level.

Answer 5

Although I hunted all over for the name of the person who quoted this I couldn't find this information you asked for ( but I see you have found this answer)  but I would like to answer how I feel this quote might apply to atheism, religion, and spirituality. This example works for all three groups... because action does speak louder tna words, force is just force in the end.  But people everywhere get inspired by seeing faith in action!  

A man/woman who has great power doesn't require thousands cheering him /her on.  This person's greatest power comes by being a silent type, one who is willing to pull his/her shirt sleeves up and do the work, showing others by example how it is done!  His/ her demonstration of this inspires others to do the same.  They serve and thus become great.   Quiet and thoughtful, peaceful within themselves,someone who shows leadership rather than one who demands or forces it upon another.  Two of the greatest leaders  I know in this century were Sir Winston Churchill, and Mother Teresa.  Why, these two...well because they both excercised their faith and belief into action...their actions affected thousands of people worldwide and brought about a yearning for us all to develope better personal character and faith. They gave up much of their lives so that others could keep theirs...to me that is undeniable prove that we should lead by example, not the example of our power.  Winston Churchill did have power as did Mother Teresa...but the chose to lead by their faith in action!  

Winston Churchill was a soldier and a man of great courage and faith. He was a great speaker and oratator.  He spoke daily to hundreds of thousands and encouraged them mightily with his broadcasts.  World War Two might not have been won without the spiritual leadership this man gave!  His words created faith and courage in the lives of many soldiers worldwide. Thousands upon thousands were encouraged by his consistent messages.  His power came from his belief in God.  

Another great spiritual leader of our time in my humble estimation was Mother Teresa...she served and gave up her life.  She wore the clothes of poverty and served the poor endlessly.  Her faith was unwavering and she proved this to be true by her actions and words.  Her faith was in Christ.  She definately was an ambassador for him!  Here are some of her quotes:  

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes...

Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She died in 1997 after long illnesses, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 2003.

Selected Mother Teresa Quotations

• Love is doing small things with great love.

• Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.

• Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

• We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.

• There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives--the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.

• There should be less talk. A preaching point is not a meeting point.

• The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved-- they are Jesus in disguise.

• In the West there is loneliness, which I call the leprosy of the West. In many ways it is worse than our poor in Calcutta. (Commonweal, Dec 19, 1997)

• It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.

• The poor give us much more than we give them. They're such strong people, living day to day with no food. and they never curse, never complain. We don't have to give them pity or sympathy. We have so much to learn from them.

• I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?

• I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.

• The silence is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. The tongue moves in prayer but does not speak. [letter, 1979]

• Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.

• If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

The reason I quote so many of Mother Teresa quotes is not because I am Catholic (because I am not) but because I see the power of love and grace of Christ in so much of what she said.  She didn't force others to follow or believe her.  She quietly went about her business and lived it.  One woman, a tiny woman became a giant for us all to see.  That is the difference.  Whether you are an atheist, a religious person, or a spiritual person.  Action speaks far louder tna words....especially good actions!   Good actions inspire everyone who wants harmony and peace.  Atheists do this, Christains do this, Spiritual people do this.

Thank you for asking ...:)

Answer 6

Oh wow what an awesome quote!!  ((UP))

As a Christian and applying to Christianity, I would say, we live our lives in a sacrifice to God and doing what is pleasing to him:

Feed the hungry

Shelter the homeless

Clothe the naked

Tend to the ill

Love all!

And by living lives unto Christ, others will see our example and want to be a part of his Light.  This is opposed to pointing fingers, blaming others, and telling people how to live by standards that we can't even live up to.

Great question!

Answer 7

That quote has not worked for me at any point in my life.

Answer 8

I think it applies to religion most specifically because the examples we see of Christianity are usually full of hate and judgment.  

Answer 9

Fair enough, but nobody should follow a leader to a place they would not go to on their own.

Answer 10

Such a mind bender!

Here's an example:

The guy that has a family goes out to earn a living and provide for them and is seen going to Church,Temple or Mosque with them every Sunday or Saturday is not leading by the power of example but by a simple sample of an example.

The rest of the week he may have some people to trample.

  

Answer 11

Tee hee, I see you listened to Bill Clinton's speech also.  Great speech!  I agree with Mr. President, we should lead by the power of our example.

(((UP)))

Answer 12

I don't like to apply quotes to things in life anymore.  I prefer to live my life as independently as possible of one-liners not my own, no matter how articulate they appear at first glancing.

Quotes lead to people using them for arrogant harrupmhing to prove points.  Don't like it.

Answer 13

If people were more open minded and weren't so closed in then maybe it could have or would have happened long ago. Every time you try to speak what's on your mind you always are regarded as being rude. What is wrong with people it is not being rude it simply just explaining your opinion. Everyone is close minded they never want to grow in their spirituality they rather believe in their one way and never learn nothing new.