What is your relligion? Your faith? Your beliefs? No judgements here.
By jumpinjack00
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
United States
June 22, 2007 4:52am CST
I personally don't classify myself under any
named religion new or old. I do believe there
is a Supreme Being of some sort. What it is I
don't know for sure but I do believe that it is
all things.
I don't care if we're talking about a tree, dog,
person or car. That's right I said car. Why you ask?
Because cars are made from things that were provided
to us via this Being.
This will probably pizz (myLot rules) off many people
but I don't believe in heaven or hell. I believe that
there may be an existence after death but I don't see
this Being punishing people for what was given to us
in the first place, choice.
If this Being is all seeing and all knowing then it
already knows what we're going to do, good or bad.
This Being knows our fate so why be judged for
something we have no control of.
One last thing to get your goat. No matter what
anyone tells you, there is only one Supreme Being.
We simply worship in different ways. Can you see
many gods fighting over our devotion and our souls?
Not going to happen.
Religion boils down to one simple thing. How you
treat your fellow man. Period.
‹(°¿°)›
2 people like this
9 responses
@ecogal (522)
• United States
6 Aug 07
I want to convince myself that I'm an athiest, but the truth is I find myself cursing a higher being all the time for stuff he allows to happen....like the bridge collapse. But the fact that I'm cursing him/her must mean I believe right? I'm not sure. What i do know is that respect is important. Respect and be good to your family, your friends, yourself and nature.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
6 Aug 07
Well hello ecogal. Your last sentence sums it
up no matter our belief in a deity or not.
Humans miss the point. It's not what you
believe in or how you celebrate life but
how we treat each other.
‹(°¿°)›
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
7 Aug 07
Not a hypocrite at all. A person does have to
live with the times. As long as you didn't buy
the most expensive computer because it is so
pretty. You catch my drift, I'm sure.
You're absolutely right when you mention material
possessions. People have forgotten what's important.
I won't say it's religion because I'll be the first
one on the soapbox to debunk it. Organized religion
is organized crime.
I apologize if I offend you but it's the truth. They
take and take in the name of some god but only give
crumbs back. What they offer to the masses is the
concept of salvation. That keeps most suckers happy.
There is only one religion and it is the religion
of one. You are a religion unto yourself. I'm sure
you'll agree with that.
A church, synagogue, temple, etc., full of people
can't do nearly the good I can do as they sit there
and prey. All I have to do is bring clothes I don't
want to where I know homeless people are. Maybe serve
food in a shelter. Go to the hospital and volunteer.
But no, these self righteous people are saving us all
by mumbling in some pretty building with their nice
clothes on. Who are they trying impress? Their god
or their neighbor.
Sorry about the soapbox rant but I can really get
a head of steam up. You have no idea.
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@funnycole (392)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Even though I am not Jewish, I am an Old Testament believer. I just believe that Christianity steers itself too far away from the Old Testament and its tenets and traditions that have survived over 5000 years.
To illustrate my point, the other day I was channel surfing and stopped just in time to hear a Christian Minister call the Rabbis in a couple of Old Testament books (Malachi and Ezra), priests and preachers, ouch.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I'm with you on your points. I'll take it a step
further and say that the New Testament was a man
made creation starting with Catholicism and the
formation of the church. It's all about huge
business disguised as religion.
The Old Testament is exactly what it says but
in allegory. The New Testament was created from
the will of power and greed.
‹(°¿°)›
@funnycole (392)
• United States
6 Sep 07
Well Catholicism can probably also take credit for the removal of free will from the New Testament. By the way I sent the private message.
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@jmcafam (2890)
• United States
30 Jul 07
I was brought up Catholic but currenly do not attend church or really pracice. My mind is really open though. Religion has torn people apart for to long. I completly agree with you when you said "Religion boils down to one simple thing. How you treat your fellow man. Period."
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
31 Jul 07
You truly sound like an open minded individual.
I too was brought up Catholic. I even did the
alter boy thing. My time as alter boy was a
good experience but the things I learned from
that time forth really opened my eyes to the
realty of organized criminal religion.
‹(°¿°)›
@jenvalenzuela (267)
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
As for me, I've been going to church again. Eventhough im not sure im Catholic. Either way I believe in God, and i find the need to actualize a spiritual life in some ritualistic way.
Well, I realized just recently why I'am so turned off by organized religion. It's because i find it alarming when religious people start believing they are the chosen ones and the path they've found is the ONLY path. I'm afraid of the repercussions it will have on the world. I think alot of people in my generation feels the same way, because this is the era of religious wars. If our parents had Nam and Cold war, we have terrorism and Al Qaeda and people dying and being killed in the name of God.
I actually don't mind it when people don't follow a specific religion, but I still believe it is highly important to search for God, and actualize a relationship with God in a conscious and realistic way.
I feel that believing in God but doing nothing to consciously acknowledge it is like telling yourself you love a person, but you never tell him or show him that you do. It remains inert energy. It ahs to be activated.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Hey jen nice to hear from you. You don't
have to be Catholic. As I'm sure you know,
it's just a name.
You are so correct. People are more than
willing to give their lives up in the "name"
of their religion. Remember what I said above
about it just being a name?
We have been killing each other since the dawn
of organized religion exactly for the reasons
you stated. People believe they are the chosen
ones and that their path is the only one.
I agree 100%. You must take an active role. Like
I've said and you you affirm, it's about how we
treat each other. That determines the direction
humanity will take.
Yes indeed it is extremely important to believe,
understand and/or continually search for a higher
Being. The meaning of life for mankind is hope.
Everything surrounds hope.
From the smallest things to the grand scheme of it
all. We need to know that there's a reason for what
we do. Whether it be hope for a brighter tomorrow
or a solution to a problem if we didn't have hope
we wouldn't have life.
Then we would only exist like animals. Take a look
around the world and see that what I say is true.
The hopeless live an existence not much unlike animals.
‹(°¿°)›
@Tetchie (2932)
• Australia
8 Aug 07
Hello Jack, I usually avoid these subjects as they end up tiresome in the end, but you are an intelligent friend and I'm feeling a little inspired this evening.
I'm a bit like Annie, I was brought up Catholic, through the school system, went to church on Sundays like a good girl and had to attend mass on particular religious days as part of being educated in a catholic school. Of course it put me off. I could understand little of the sermons, the rantings, ravings, the fear mongering etc. When I was old enough to complain so much, my mother agreed that I didn't have to go to mass any more - yippee.
In my mid to late 20's I questioned life, like most people do. I had an interest in the occult - being metaphysical realms, and my questions got bigger and bigger and I could not let them go.
Eventually in my mid 30's I started reading extensively and after a breakout from the riggers of a career I never wanted, I left a well paying, very stressful job. From then I started a quest of seeking and found a set of teachings which helped me to get in touch with what I was looking for. I was looking for my self and answers to those strange questions I was asking. Of course I'm still asking and not all my questions are answerable!
My main concern with teachings in the past was the dogma attached to them. This is what led me to turn my back on organized religion - RULES. Rules that clearly were not being followed to their symbolic essential meaning. And as I find their are quotients to be filled by the flocks of many religious sects - one does question the integrity of the teachings.
I feel grateful that I've found teachings where I can learn to see things for myself and have experiences that I was looking for. I am learning so many things, not only about the non-physical realms, but just what makes humans tick - and that's mind blowing! But it's bringing those experiences
I do believe in higher presences. It took me along time to utter the word God because of all the negative memories it brought of my catholic upbringing. I'd rather use Divine Presence or something to that effect for my own purposes and for no other reason.
This has become long winded. But I've come to learn that how you treat your fellow man is measured by how you treat yourself. So the more of my own wonderful essence I find, the more I can see this in other people. (Alas, I wish more people were working on their own stuff and not being so concerned about everyone else's shortcomings!)
@Anniedup (3651)
• Richards Bay, South Africa
23 Jun 07
I grew up in a very religious family. But questioned the whole concept from a very young age. From waking up early religiously every Sunday to attend Sunday school and pray to a very cruel and blind God. Needless to say I was dragged to the Pastor to rid me from all my evilness.
As is known children have the ability to ask the most shockingly logical questions. The learned Pastor did not have the answers to these questions. Eventually I refrained from questioning the whole concept in order to avoid the bible punching sessions.
Later in life, after a lot of soul searching, I came to the conclusion, that there must be a Higher Force.
I try to treat people in a way, that I would like to be treated. What I believe in get’s very well said in an old script Found in Old St. Paul's Church. Please forgive the lengthy post, but I can’t talk about these matters without putting up the script.
Here are two links that I think you will find very interesting, when I first saw it I immediately thought of you. Especially the, "freethinker", it is excellent!
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/intro.html
http://ffrf.org/nontracts/freethinker.php
Desiderata
-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
"Found in Old St. Paul's Church"!
Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or 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 in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Always keep questioning my friend. No matter
the opposition or the topic. I don't doubt your
pastor had any right answers. The poor man is
entrapped in the snare of fear. Be it design
by the church.
Thank you for the links. They're piqued my mind.
I will go over them when I have more time.
I too am familiar with Desiderata. I used to have
it posted in the about me section of my ebay store.
What a wonderful piece. It should be required reading
in school.
If there is a Supreme Being then it would be pleased
that there are those who use the gift of free thought.
To question and examine the world around us.
‹(°¿°)›
1 person likes this
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
25 Jun 07
Most assuredly I will. I have the two
sites bookmarked.
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@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
22 Jun 07
a question in answer to yours you stated that you believe there is only one God wich in effect is true there is only one we should worship yet if no othere exist why then would he warn us
(Exo.20:3-17
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Think about it. What this Being is referring to
is our worship of objects and obsessions. When
we lose ourselves to our passions we lose our
faith and direction.
Think about the golden calf. That is one example.
Our vices and addictions are others. Why is it
(most) people only find their god when they're
down and out.
When we have what we want god is good and we take
this Being for granted. When the tables are turned
and we're most needy, people do 1 of 2 things. They
either curse this Being or beg for salvation.
We are a very forgetful animal. As intelligent as
we are we don't curb our behavior until it's too
late. Time and time again history repeats itself.
On an individual level all the way up to the global
level.
‹(°¿°)›
1 person likes this
@sheenshaukat (2617)
• Pakistan
22 Jun 07
We should think as much as we can. Our brain and knowledge in brain works upto some extents. There are many layers of knowledge. Many things, many creatures and many worlds are hiden to our eyes. Our religions discover such worlds and we get the answers of our onsolved questions. Univers is very very old and our life is limited as our brains and thinkings. So we should belive on the teachings of our religions. As concerned about hell and heaven. We notice it in our life.It is time tested phenomena that Time gives rewards and time also punishes. Tine is a best teacher and also best judge. This phenmena proves that heaven and hell is also available in our present life. If we do good get good. If we do bad we collect the bad results. Time proves every thing, time will will also manage to mend your thinkings.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Despite the knowledge we possess as humans
we are still so limited aren't we? The way
I see it is because we refuse to understand
the unexplained. There is indeed so much we
know nothing of albeit hidden or right in
front of our eyes.
Organized religion with their earthly names
are not much than a man made invention to
guide us through our trials & tribulations.
Heaven and hell do exist on an earthly plain
but is it fair and just? Look around and see
if the good suffer in hell and the wicked bask
in their golden heaven high above the street or
behind their locked gates.
Then tell if time is fair and just...
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@shestalou (293)
• Canada
22 Jun 07
Jumpinjack that was very well said, I agree I think we all worship the same God just in different ways, I think hell will be just a state of mind, how well you treated others, I think all religions do some good for people as long as they are not killing people.
@jumpinjack00 (3054)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Thanks for the compliment. You're right,
all religions have good in them and do
good for humanity. In the same token
some of the most bloody wars in history
were fought in the name of religion.
Mankind is truly a beast.
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