Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    If you have any books which use the symbol, wouldn't they have to
    acknowledge the copyright, if one exists????  

    ps:  I have no real idea if that is true or not, it just makes sense to
    my non-legal mind.  Of course, if it makes sense, it's probably not
    legal ;-)

    	There are several marriage encounter organizations.  (Kind of
    	like Christianity in general, there have been schisms over
    	focus and emphasis.)
    
    	None of them that I am aware of use just the two overlapping
    	rings or circles, and I find it hard to believe that such a
    	symbol -- so widely used for so long -- is copyrighted or
    	trademarked.
    
    	Worldwide Marriage Encounter, the largest organization, and
    	the one that claims original lineage from Fr. Calvo's original
    	weekends, has a symbol that has evolved over time.  For the
    	past 15-20 years the symbol contains two yellow rings overlapping,
    	with a cross (usually white) nestled in the overlap of the rings.
    	On top of the rings rests a large red heart -- occupying about
    	twice the volume of the two rings, and the bottom point of the 
    	heart rests at the top junction of the two rings.  Inside the
    	heart are the words Marriage Encounter, usually written one word
    	above the other and centered within the heart.   (Note, what I've
    	described is the symbol used for the Christian WWME groups.  The
    	Jewish branch of WWME replaced the cross with a Star Of David,
    	for example.)
    
    	Engaged Encounter (a similar weekend for engaged couples) also
    	uses the overlapping rings in their symbol, but each ring has
    	an "E" in it ( E E  for Engaged Encounter) and the rings also
    	have a single cross intersecting their junction on the outside
    	of the rings.
    
    	I saw the National Marriage Encounter symbol once (as opposed
    	to Worldwide Marriage Encounter) and while I do not recall the
    	details of the symbol, they too use the overlapping rings in it.
    
    	I do not know if any of these symbols are trademarked or
    	copyrighted.  I'll try to find out for you.

>    	There are several marriage encounter organizations.  (Kind of
>    	like Christianity in general, there have been schisms over
>    	focus and emphasis.)

The denominational organizations in Marriage Encounter are frequently
referred to as "faith expressions."  There are several.  My spouse and
I have been on two United Methodist, one Lutheran, and one Roman Catholic
Marriage Encounter weekends.  (We joke that we're going to continue going
on Marriage Encounter weekends until we get it right.)

As I understand it, the denominational lines in Marriage Encounter were
not the result of schisms and the various faith expressions do share a
spirit of cooperation and mutual concern.

Now, I'm aware that there exists a more fundamentalist entity called CME
or Christian Marriage Encounter.  CME does use the double rings sans
the distinctive heart, as Joe described in .2.  Their car window sticker
is a deep purple, as I recall.  It's been quite a while since I last noticed
one.

Shalom,
Richard

    Thank you all for the information and speedy 
    response.  Although I knew there were different
    "faith expressions" of Marriage Encounter, I 
    didn't realize they used different variations
    of the symbol.
    
    Joe, whatever you find will be helpful.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Dolores

    One more thing, that "almond" shape overlap
    of symbols is called a mandorla in Jungian
    terms.  It means the uniting of opposites.
    
    So, maybe such a universal symbol can't be
    trademarked, as Joe suggested.
    
    Continued pointers welcome.
    
    Dolores

>    One more thing, that "almond" shape overlap
>    of symbols is called a mandorla in Jungian
>    terms.  It means the uniting of opposites.
    
do you mean "mandala" perhaps? 
i know c.g. jung used mandalas in his studies of dreams.

i believe the term originates from buddhist (specifically tibetan) art.
mandalas can be very intricate and dynamic pieces of art, as you say, 
uniting opposites and usually converging at the centre - they were usually
drawn on walls in monasteries or designed on carpets and used by the monks 
as a means for meditation.

mandala designs usually have a very soothing effect.


andreas.

    .4
    
    Please don't misunderstand, Dolores.
    
    The United Methodist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic 'faith expressions'
    use the same Marriage Encounter symbol.  I can understand the Jewish
    faith expression's modification.
    
    It's the CME that uses its own.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    

    Andreas,
    
    No, I didn't make a mistake.  A mandala and a mandorla are two
    different things.  I didn't find mandorla in the dictionary so
    my spelling might be off.
    
    Richard,
    
    Thanks, perhaps I read too quickly.  I'll reread the replies.
    
    Dolores

    .3
    
>As I understand it, the denominational lines in Marriage Encounter were
>not the result of schisms and the various faith expressions do share a
>spirit of cooperation and mutual concern.
    
    	Sorry if I wasn't clear.  The various faith expression versions
    	of Worldwide Marriage Encounter are not considered schisms.  The
    	major schism I was talking about was National Marriage Encounter
    	splitting off from Worldwide Marriage Encounter over differences
    	in focus and emphasis (dialogue vs being apostolic, for one.)
    	National Marriage Encounter may very well have separate faith
    	expressions as Worldwide Marriage Encounter does.  
    
    	And from what I've heard, (just as the message is the same from 
    	faith expression to faith expression within Worldwide Marriage 
    	Encounter) the overall messages of communication, feelings, risk 
    	and confidence are going to be the same on both a National Marriage 
    	Enconter weekend and a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend.
    
    	As for other "schisms" there are local flavors and blends of
    	similar weekends.  Sometimes they are formed to fill a specific
    	need.  Sometimes simply because none of the major "brands" 
    	are reaching a specific area.

>Now, I'm aware that there exists a more fundamentalist entity called CME
>or Christian Marriage Encounter.  
    
    	I wish I knew more about them.

    	in .2 I wrote:
    
>    	I do not know if any of these symbols are trademarked or
>    	copyrighted.  I'll try to find out for you.
    
    	The Worldwide Marriage Encounter symbol that I described is
    	a trademark, but only rarely will you see the trademark notation
    	associated with the printing of the symbol.  That, according
    	to our local executive couple.
    
    	I don't know about any other Marriage Encounter organizations'
    	symbols.