I don't think a difference of opinion makes you anti-semitic.
I believe you have to treat all jewish people as if they were somehow all the same in ways other than their religious beliefs (stereotype or prejudice) or have some kind of hostility or negativity towards jews to be considered anti-semitic. You can choose to not date someone because of differences in your beliefs without it having broader implications. I actually don't really understand how some christians can have serious relationships with non-christians. I mean if you are a christian who believe non-christians go to hell how could you stand for your beloved to go to hell? Whew. Good thing I don't believe in hell!! |
|
|
|
Topic:
Church Gossip... (a joke)
|
|
Too funny... but I think it's sad when people don't have enough to interest them about their own life and so have to poke their nose into other peoples business... |
|
|
|
Topic:
Name the religion...
|
|
Rythmagician.
|
|
|
|
Topic:
Moments of Brilliance
|
|
Every time I see the ocean (pretty much every day).
It's always different. Some days clear and calm and you can see the bottom. Other days rough and full of drifting life and detritus... amazing sunrises, beautiful sunsets... I can't "prove" there is a god. But I know art when I see it. |
|
|
|
I hope it works! I tried the same thing before with a "coffeehouse chat for Humans".
It was fun for a while but then it fizzled out. Unfortunately it seems you must have some controversy or people get bored... But good luck!!! Peace and joy to all. |
|
|
|
Hey JB, I will try to help with what I can. Paganism is usually the broad term people use for some of the people that don't really know what they believe. It's actually kind of a more religious Agnosticism. Pagans usually pick and choose what they like from multiple religions. So they may not consider themself a Christian but they follow the path of christ but also believe in Reincarnation and multiple Gods and Goddesses. It's almost like a make your own religion religion. (Not saying that to be rude, Just looking for the best way to explain it. So if any pagans have a better way please help me. ) Wicca is a actual religion that is based more off of witchcraft. Although it is a very nature based religion. There are some differences between Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, and religions of that sort. Although all of those are extrememly nature based dealing with the earths energies more than divine guidance. (Although it is a polytheastic religion so there are Gods and Goddesses) Wicca is a form of paganism and some people use the terms Wiccan and Pagan interchangeably. Sometimes I even slip up and do. Wiccans basically use magick for energy manipulation in their spells. (Prayers for them) If I am not mistaken you would be able to relate that to your Law of Attraction experiments. Only I think you were just asking the universe and wanting the things you were asking for. I don't remember if you said you were doing anything else like praying or casting spells or what not. Although you were asking the Universe for the things you wanted and trusting in the energy to bring it to you. Same basic concept. Anyway. I hope I helped at least a little. I will be honest I am better at answering specific questions over a broad overview. Although if you ever want to know more or if I wasn't very clear in an explanation please ask and I will be more than happy to try to help clarify more. Wow! I'm a pagen and didn't even know it!! But not a wiccan... more of the agnostic, make up your own religion. Use what is true, toss out the obviously contradictory and false- borrow from some eastern (taoist, buddhist) and other nature-based religion/philosophies, throw in a little re-incarnation and belief in a creator. Coat it all with a knowledge of how gloriously imperfect the world and all its creatures are and a desire to do the right thing to increase the goodness in the world and feel good about one's own actions... that's pretty much it. not too formal... Peace. |
|
|
|
Topic:
Politics and your religion
|
|
Ahhh..., Redy sorry I just saw your clarification...
When I do attend an organized religious group it is Unitarian Universalist. Generally they tend to be pro-environment and opposed to violence. But the religion is based on personal freedom and choice so there's really not too much coercion. Except I just thought of one thing- most UU's try to be very tolerant and encourage all to attend- e.g. gays are welcomed, all races, all religious beliefs, etc. accepted. BUT if someone wanted to march or otherwise support anti-hate crime or discriminatory laws, etc. that would likely bring unofficial peer pressure censure. I doubt that there would be any official or public scolding but others would show their disapproval individually. Is that the kind of thing you mean? |
|
|
|
Topic:
Politics and your religion
|
|
My religion is based on the separation of church and state....
there can be no religious freedom if they are connected as the state influenced by a specific religion obviously favors that religions beliefs, etc. of course the separation is quite easy for me as my church is frequently the beach and it's hard to get much state business done there.... Peace |
|
|
|
Topic:
Let's get controversial lol
|
|
I think most religions would feel safe to put up a billboard if they wanted- it's hard to hurt a billboard. But it seems like many religions wouldn't want to put up a billboard. I know people of several religions-muslim, buddhist, hindu, jewish, christian, pagen- but only the christians have really tried to "convert" me while the others just explained their beliefs and respected the fact that I didn't share their beliefs. I'm not sure why that is so. That's just my personal experience, obviously not statistically significant evidence. But everything I have seen on this site has been similar. Maybe it is just because I live in America and Christianity is the dominant religion here? Or maybe it is an inherent difference in practices required by the religion? I fully agree hon :) I just find it curious, (and I'll leave it at that for people's minds to interpret as they will lmao) Yes it is curious... I personally believe that some are insecure in their beliefs and feel that there is "safety in numbers"- I have often seen a religious argument or point bolstered by the logic that "it must be true because a million other people think the same thing". ...and I think that at one time everyone thought that the earth was flat, so the majority opinion doesn't make it right... that kind of madison avenue advertising "band-wagon" approach to logic has no merit for me... Peace and joy to all. (and to all a good night ) |
|
|
|
I believe that atheist/agnostics spend most of their apparently miserable existence trying to cause discord among everyone else in the world so the entire world will be as miserable as them Really? And are you under the misapprehension that atheists and aganostics are the same thing as well? To me that's like saying that Christians and Satanists are the same thing- because they are both based on the same set of deities aren't they. and the point of your post does not seem to be to create accord or fill others with joy either... strange. also, i am agnostic in that although I do believe in god, I am not so arrogant as to think my beliefs are the only possible answers to questions that NO ONE has incontravertable facts about... La la la la- the happy agnostic |
|
|
|
Topic:
Let's get controversial lol
|
|
So...I have a question. No hidden meaning, no offence intended, just a general question of curiosity. In my city, you can't drive down the road 10 feet without seeing a billboard or other advertisement stating something like, "Got God?" or "Jesus is King!" or "What have you done for God today?" etc etc, you get the point lol The t.v. is flooded with advertisements for Life Time Christian music CDs and church advertisements, pastors preaching and daily morning programming with Pastor Nancy (I believe her name is). So my question is, how offended would you be if you were driving down the road and saw a huge billboard with a saying like, "Got Satan?" or "What have you done for Allah today?" or "Have you chosen the Buddist path?" In the land of America, let freedom ring, why is it that some things are acceptable and some things are not? Shouldn't it be equal and fair to advertise your religious beliefs in any way you see fit and that if one group of practicers can do it through billboards and tv commercial advertisements, why can't another for fear of persecution? I think most religions would feel safe to put up a billboard if they wanted- it's hard to hurt a billboard. But it seems like many religions wouldn't want to put up a billboard. I know people of several religions-muslim, buddhist, hindu, jewish, christian, pagen- but only the christians have really tried to "convert" me while the others just explained their beliefs and respected the fact that I didn't share their beliefs. I'm not sure why that is so. That's just my personal experience, obviously not statistically significant evidence. But everything I have seen on this site has been similar. Maybe it is just because I live in America and Christianity is the dominant religion here? Or maybe it is an inherent difference in practices required by the religion? |
|
|
|
If so how you change this creed to fit your beliefs? Hmm... I believe in God... creator of heaven and earth. ...and in life everlasting*. *which I think may be reincarnation but I can't know for sure- as I have no memory of having died... it just makes sense to me. |
|
|
|
I hate Oprah too but really love Ellen.I guess its her down to earth quality I enjoy. Are you sure for not being a lesbian ?. What?!? |
|
|
|
I don't like them. I think they are con men, liars and fakes. Jeanniebean So is Oprah... They probably are all liars. Pretty much everyone lies at some point. I lied this morning. My grandmother asked me if I thought she would ever walk again. I said of course I do. I don't really think she will but I would be very happy if she did and I thought at this point it was better to let her have hope than be completely honest. So I'm a liar. Fake? Who on TV isn't at least a little bit fake? Con men? I'm unaware of Oprah ever threatening people with eternal damnation if they don't send her money... or threatening that she will die if you don't send her money.... Doesn't mean she hasn't said that, just that if she did please let me know. I have heard the other ones say things that I would be unable to differentiate from other con's that attempt to seperate the weak minded or easily confused from their money. |
|
|
|
Topic:
Share Jesus without Fear
|
|
I thought the first 5 questions were ok, I would be open to discussing... but as soon as you start talking about "sin" I just don't feel like going into it *again*... I've had that discussion too many times.
And heaven/hell? Why any grown person would believe that is beyond my comprehension... To me it sounds like something for children- a santa claus/boogie man scenario... I can be "good" (not perfect but doing my best...) just for the sake of doing the right thing, feeling good about my choices, and not wanting to harm others- I don't need threats of eternal damnation or promises of eternal rewards to make me do the best I can to make the right choices and help others... But that's just me. You go ahead and believe whatever feels true and good but doesn't involve harming others.... |
|
|
|
Topic:
Share Jesus without Fear
|
|
1. Are you a sinner? If by sinning, do I break the tenets of a 1500 year old book? Then hell yeah!! I drink too much caffiene, have drunk alcohol to excess, behaved in licentious behaviours with numerous members of the opposite sex and I dont wash my hands before dinner! Well Belushi, I rarely judge others (who am I after all and all that jazz...) But in this case I just cannot let this pass without expressing my distaste... my disillusionment... my shock and horror... I mean REALLY!!!.... You don't wash your hands before dinner?!?!?! |
|
|
|
Topic:
self-denial
|
|
Maybe your god wants you to struggle so that the things you learn will be more meaningful to you.
When I was a child I resented it when my father made me earn things that my friends were given and tell me, "you'll appreciate it more if you work for it" but now I do understand what he was trying to do... |
|
|
|
Topic:
Perfect...
|
|
Oh yeah!!! Thank you for your pleasant entrance and exit anoasis... Perfect in our imperfection... to borrow from my love! Yes, I liked that phrasing too... the world is perfectly imperfect. Although sometimes it takes quite a while to see the perfection of some aspects of creation. Mosquitos come to mind... |
|
|
|
Topic:
Perfect...
|
|
Often 'God' is claimed to be a perfect entity, especially considering the 'God' of Abraham. I wonder of the nature of perfect then, specifically concerning the world at hand. It is obviously not perfect... Creative Nice question... But when you speak of the obvious imperfection of the world I *think* it is implied that you are referencing things like disease and death and destruction. These things are difficult to embrace yes.. but the world is imperfect in other ways as well... chaos and overgrowth and frenzy and excitement. Perfect? Perfect implies static to me. No change. Boring. Maybe a perfect god made it all. Maybe not. I am so imperfect I have no idea what god is really like. |
|
|
|
Topic:
how many?????
|
|
Yes but I was at a tent revival and I was about 13 and chock full of hormones... When the weeping, wailing and speaking in tongues really got going I was "overcome".
It was really hot and I think I was actually on the edge of passing out... it was at my best friends christian summer camp and I got baptized later in the week. Fully immersed in the lake; fully clothed- they didn't believe in "mixed bathing". I think I started to "lose my faith" when I found out that dancing was also a "sin"- and french kissing was definitely a no-no, despite the fact that all those christian boys were always trying to stick their tongues down our throats... just like regular boys. Just proves christians are just like everyone else. |
|
|