Yea Abra...

Cut to the chase.

or in mathmatical terms.

reduce and simplfy.

Nicely put.

I also

am.

And I tell you, we are of the same matter but not of the same mind. In
our differences we must continue to struggle to see the sameness between
us and to love and respect those differences that are held with honor
and seek the opportunity to find oneness somewhere between the two.


Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

I was educated a catholic since i was born, I was educated in a catholic
school since kinder til high school graduation.
But I did my own education with regard beliefs, plus I have experience
several things that make me believe that I'm in the right track for my
life.

As you believe so is it.

There are many paths. There is but one destination.

to borrow a phrase.

All paths lead to mecca.

(disclamer: I am not a follower of mahahamad either but I understand
what mecca means in this case.)

I have read many things on all differnt beliefs.
I have a very bad opinion on alot of the oranized religions.
the hipocizy (sp) in the churchs.

when my daughter was ready for school I always believed that the
private schools had a better basis for learning. In the long run it was
worse on kids because then they went wild in the real world. So I
wanted to at least start her there then move to public. across the
street is a Luthern school.
They had the children pledge allegence to the flag. then again to the
CROSS! I asked if they had to click their heels or salute.. That was a
little strange to me...

Blessed be....

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. Most of you were atleast
respectful of others beliefs. I sympathize with the ones who went
through a difficult time, but it seems you are now stronger for your
struggles. Your faith in your beliefs is also has been strengthen as
well.

For those of you who were being slightly insulting which were only a few
were, I just want to remind you that religious beliefs and/or spiritual
beliefs is something personal nature and must be decided by that one
person. No one has the definitive answer on whether God does or does
not exist. Therefore, this thread is not meant to sway anyone personal
beliefs, but share with one another something is part of our essence.

My spirit, soul, chose my beliefs, for it is what sits well within me,
what resonates within me, that is me.

I believe in no organised religion, but the essence of all religions,

to allow all to be loved,
respected for their beliefs,
and held in honour for their uniqueness.

Spirit, the essence of all, is within all of us, we are all one,
connected, not separate.

Thanks, Jess. That was truly beautiful and wonderfully stated.

I thought that I would bring this thread back to life to see if there any new responses to this subject matter.

I think these are the style threads I like best. There's not flat out arguing about who's right or wrong, but an allowance of people knowing what is right for them on an individual basis. As other's have said, I think there are several ways to arrive at the same destination. The destination of spirit/soul. Humanity - a big entity made up of a whole lot of individuals and a whole lot of different energies. I definitely need to keep that in mind more.

Missing old times, Wench? Me too, and all the voices that spoke here. Sorry I've been away so much, have to attend to business, as in, my life or rather making a life that works. Nice to see the conversation again. Be well everyone!

Actually, I hadn't read this thread before, but I did enjoy it. I do miss you though, Red. Enjoy your life organizing?.

This topic was before my time - but I'll contribute to it's "resurection" as it were.

I am a Christian. Born again believer - to qualify that, since claiming to be a Christian these days can cover the spectrem from Catholicism to Baptist to Morman to Jehovah Witnesses.

Over the past 40 years (give or take a few) I have been everything from a Catholic (born into that), Atheist (isn't everyone in college an atheist) Buddhist, Numerologist, New Ager, a member of about 5 Cults, at least 2 of which are on the list of the 10 most dangerous Cults in America, Dabbled in Pyschics, dealt with Satanists, and if I didn't experience it - I read about it. Have spent the last 20 years studying apologetics and logic. Needless to say - the topic of religion has interested me over the years.

I chose Christianity - because it made the most sense. I do not, however, agree with what most people claim - that Christianity is a religion. Perhaps in the realm of beliefs and worship it is, but not when it comes to a system. A Christian is no more a part of religion - than an Atheist is apart of one. To me - it is a relationship I have with God and Jesus - who is my savior. He has provided me with a book that has explained the truth to me, and I have no reason to disbelieve that. None of the other belief systems has provided me with the truth - just questions about it. So that's what got me to where I am.

lj

Nicely stated Eljay. Nice play on words too.

hey LJ did you choose to be in those cults just to learn about them or you believed at that moment that they were good for you?

TLW

>> A Christian is no more a part of religion - than an Atheist is apart of one.

I started looking when I was very young. The scripture that says they will be the restorers of all things. Is what I have looked for. I have found that Yahwists are doing thier best to bring the things of old back in preparation for Yahshua's return. So that is where I am.. Blessings of Shalom... Miles

TLW;

A little bit of both. For the most part, I went through some of the original indoctrination - and then discovered the cultic practices afterwards. I've also spent time going to services of cults in order to get perspective on what they were about to further educate myself on them. Part of my pursuit of apologetics.

lj

did not u think that a some point it would have been dangerous for you to be in those satanic or destructive cults?

Most of the Satanists I dealt with were one on one experiences, and it was back in the 70's. I haven't come across many since then. Occasionally I run into one in Harvard square, and they just tend to be curious about biblical subjects more than anything else. They claim to be satanists - but are just Atheistic - looking for a reaction. Most of the other cults I've been involved with are more on the radical fundamentalist Christian end. Moonies, The Way, Boston Church of Christ (Now known as the International Church of Christ), and the reaction there is usually to order their members not to have anything to do with me.