Religious question

[Samuari]

Damn Cookies

That was me up there as the last unregestered.

Shalom

 

[Calamity Jane]

I'm coming back around to my whole misunderstanding of religion.
Whose right?

That's part of the problem with Western thinking. We're ALL right. If you believe something to be true on a spiritual level, then it IS. Truth is subjective, what is true for me, may not resemble the truth to you AT ALL, keeps life interesting.

Once you stop trying to see who's right, and cowering in fear of what happens next, or if you've blown your chances because you cut that old lady off in traffic, and you start to focus on your life RIGHT NOW, then not only does life get easier, but the choices become more clear, the differences fade, and you notice that fundamentally, we're all taking the same journey. Some of us take different paths, and some of us chart our own course... but the destination is the same.

 

[Moridin187]

Very well said PCG

I'm going to say something now that might shock you all, and cause some of you to call me a fraud or a dumbass or the like..

I am a priest, an honest to goodness ordained priest... (That's the shocking part)

I'm ordained by the Universal Life Church, who ordained me online in two minutes, lol.

But I do take being a priest seriously, I was a priest a long time before I found the ULC, I just used them to get it on record more easily. But the ULC has a saying which I'm fond of. "It's the good, not the God." If you're a good person, deep down, even if you've done bad things, you're a good person, you'll go to a good place when you die.

 

[JaymesBlond007]

Posted previously by pagancowgirl
Once you stop trying to see who's right, and cowering in fear of what happens next, or if you've blown your chances because you cut that old lady off in traffic, and you start to focus on your life RIGHT NOW, then not only does life get easier, but the choices become more clear, the differences fade, and you notice that fundamentally, we're all taking the same journey. Some of us take different paths, and some of us chart our own course... but the destination is the same.

I never actually began looking to see who was right or wrong, I had only formed the question. That's for them to figure out. I live my life with respect for my self as well respect for others, because I feel it to be necessary, not because I read it in some book.

I was merely wondering why, just because I haven't recognized a religion, I am supposedly going to Hell? I honestly don't expect anyone to agree on an answer. I guess it was a problem-thread to begin with.

Hense my allready stated fear of religion.

 

[Guest]

Re: Guess it's just you and me?

How can I put my faith behind a church and years down the road the preacher/pastor is molesting the altar boys?

First of all, you don't put your faith into a church. You have faith in God. The church is a comunity for working out that faith with your fellow sinners. One reason that I am not suprised that the folks siting beside me in the pew are sinners is that I am one, also. I do try to be a good person, but I know that I fall short very often indead. I also know that I can and will be forgiven, partually because I forgive.


I really am just unquallified to talk about religion period. It's not that I don't belive in some kind of higher power, I just do not agree with how my good intentions will go unnoticed by a "fair and just God".

I really don't think that they will be, but far more important than good intentions are good acts. For instence, I can not believe that a just and fair God would comdem Gaundi to hell, even though he rejected the Christanity that he was exposed to in South Africa and Briton. A man that lived for justice and nonviolent reistance, and forgave his assassin with his dieing breath surly will find favour with God.

 

[Samuari]

That was me again,

I know that I had it all filled out this time too.

 

[JaymesBlond007]

Posted previously by Samuari
First of all, you don't put your faith into a church. You have faith in God. The church is a comunity for working out that faith with your fellow sinners. One reason that I am not suprised that the folks siting beside me in the pew are sinners is that I am one, also. I do try to be a good person, but I know that I fall short very often indead. I also know that I can and will be forgiven, partually because I forgive.

O.K. I understand that my servitude is not for the church, but that it is merely a temple for worship. But the rules and the conformity...kneel now stand now sit now. And what's with Catholicism? You have to be a "confirmed" Catholic to break bread in "their" house? I hate to tell them, but that's the house of God and whoever wants to participate in the ceremony, (I'm not sure what it is called ) should be able to break their little hearts out.

Just be good! That's all I'm saying. Let the rest handle itself. It will allright, I'm almost positive.

 

[Moridin187]

[/i]

O.K. I understand that my servitude is not for the church, but that it is merely a temple for worship. But the rules and the conformity...kneel now stand now sit now. And what's with Catholicism? You have to be a "confirmed" Catholic to break bread in "their" house? I hate to tell them, but that's the house of God and whoever wants to participate in the ceremony, (I'm not sure what it is called ) should be able to break their little hearts out.

Just be good! That's all I'm saying. Let the rest handle itself. It will allright, I'm almost positive. [/B]

Now you're opening a whole new, nasty, dangerous can of worms my friend... Although I doubt you'd find any truely strict Catholics on here.. Catholics do tend to be Very defensive of their religion and take offense very easily. Not ALL catholics, just a lot of them. This I know, because I used to be one.

 

[JaymesBlond007]

Don't I know it...

Previously posted by Moridin187
Now you're opening a whole new, nasty, dangerous can of worms my friend... Although I doubt you'd find any truely strict Catholics on here.. Catholics do tend to be Very defensive of their religion and take offense very easily. Not ALL catholics, just a lot of them. This I know, because I used to be one.

Yes Moridin, my family are all Prodestant's, who next to the Luthern's, are the most laxed of the religions.

You don't find it peculiar that the particular faction that is so unbending, happens to be the one that's most out of whack?
Wait...don't go getting yourself into shit on my account. You're in a much more compromising position than me. Sorry...

Well! I'm going to save this discussion for another day people. It has been an experience, but I'm getting worn out talking religion. I can't believe it went on this far!! I just wanted to get some conversation going . I'll be more careful next time.

 

[Thomas Paine]

But what if I'm Hindu? What if I'm Islamic? What if I'm a Taoist or Buddhist or Shinto? I still believe in God. Just not your God.

Just to complete the circle here (I'm a Buddhist and we're big on circles.):

If you are a Taoist or follow Shinto, you probably believe in many gods, but not the same one as the Christians, Jews and Muslims.

If you're a Buddhist, it's most likely that you believe in no God at all, although in some sects there are a few around the periphery.

Without burdening this discussion with my particular beliefs, let me suggest that if you are looking for a lowest common denominator for all religions, it may be found in the Golden Rule instead of in belief in God.