25 replies to this topic

[Sherapy]

That was beautiful Godsmessenger, thankyou for taking the time to share that, Namaste Sheri Berri

[GodsMessenger]

Like Tainted, I'll remain Christian.

That aside, I thought I'd comment on this thread.  Don't get me wrong here, I'm not dissing the idea, just commenting, k.  The paradox with this is that when one classifies this as a new "religion" it becomes fundamentally the same as every other religion around, ie. set of doctrines, laws and beliefs, even if the doctrine is simply "there is no set doctrine".  Even a loose society or gathering will eventually have to register itself as an organisation/business, or risk breaking the law of the land, thus leading to a set of beliefs again.

The only way which you can keep this from becoming like all other religions then is by keeping it solely in the heart of the individual (what some may consider to be Faith).  And in today's society of tolerance and multiculturalism, isn't that what we're moving towards anyway?

All the best,

But what is the difference between a religion and a...  a...  a... social club where people who share the same interests, ideas, philosophy get together and socialize and share with one another?

They key is finding those people who do share your common belief system. I think more and more people are becoming disenchanted with the mainstream standardized christian denominational creeds and doctrines. Christians do not necessarily have to be against homosexual marriages in order to be a christian. In fact the biggest criticsm of christianity is it's tendency to be judgemental of those who engage in activities they have deemed evil ungodly and unchristian.

The very thing Jesus told us to stay away from, judging others.

And what do you do when those who have decided to join your social club insist on doing the things which as a group you have decided are not the things you want within your social club.


If you have decreed that we must all be nice to one another and someone joins your club and starts insulting other members and doing unkind things, what do you do?

[GodsMessenger]

I agree with Lila... its not about what religion you follow, because even athiests can be some of the best people.   Its about treating others with the same dignity and respect as you would have them treat you.  Sound familiar?  Wonder why its the cornerstone to every religion? They all borrow them from Philosophy...  as long as we respect each other, we WILL have a peaceful world.  Its this stinking little bug called Intolerance that seems to have infected every religion, large or small world wide and is causing all the problems.

That is because we all have our own opinion of what is good and what is evil. And when we see people doing what we think is evil, it brings in that "us vs them" division.
That is why Jesus said do not judge.
And that is why Jesus said forgive one another.
And that is why we need to be tolerant of those who we might consider one of "them". Jesus did not agree with prostitution or cheating people, but he also did not condemn or judge them. He loved them. He had dinner with them. He supported them and encouraged them to do the right thing, without casting judgement and condemnation upon them.

[GodsMessenger]

I found this looking up Christ Consciouness

http://www.plotinus.com/moral_code.htm

That's pretty cool!  if only everybody would act like that.  

I read your reply and thought to myself ... maybe that should read ...

"That's pretty cool! if only I could be like that. If only all of us could say if only "I" could be like that. That problem is so often we think when seeing someone doing what we think is wrong "if only THEY could be like that".

It is that judgementalness that so easily creeps in. Why can't THEY act right? Sigh.
Why can't "they" act the way "I" think they should? The judgementalness of religion and the judgementalness of people in general.

[TaintedDoughnuts]

I didn't mean everybody as in everybody else, i meant as in all of us.  sorry for that confusion.  

[Darkwind]

I have read the Enneades all six of them.  Took me a long time, but it was worth the read.  Thanks GodsMessenger.  That was a great site.  I don't think we need another religion.  We just need to let everyone follow their own Path.

[GodsMessenger]

I have read the Enneades all six of them.  Took me a long time, but it was worth the read.  Thanks GodsMessenger.  That was a great site.  I don't think we need another religion.  We just need to let everyone follow their own Path.

I agree but ..... It would still be nice to be able to get together with people in your city who think the same way you do about these things. Obviously there are those even on this message board who do not appreciate the idea of god and his goodie goodie followers.

SO how do we identify ourselves to each other and find places where we can get together and engage in praise and worship of the spirit of love and joy and peace we feel?

[JMPD1]

Why do you need such places?  Can't you commune with your god in private?

Can't you engage in spreading peace, without trying to convert others?  Not that I am stating you do try to convert.

Isn't the purpose of religion to be loving and joyful to ALL, regardless of their own beliefs?

Or, is it acceptable to be loving, joyful, and peaceful ONLY to those who believe the same dogma and follow the same rituals as yourself?

[The Raven]

Why do you need such places?  Can't you commune with your god in private?

Can't you engage in spreading peace, without trying to convert others?  Not that I am stating you do try to convert.

Isn't the purpose of religion to be loving and joyful to ALL, regardless of their own beliefs?

Or, is it acceptable to be loving, joyful, and peaceful ONLY to those who believe the same dogma and follow the same rituals as yourself?

Religion is just a tool in explaining how things work. People being nice, accepting, and not wanting to put their religion first as the "Right" religion or not wanting to tell others their cause is an EXTREMELY rare byproduct.  

[GodsMessenger]

Why do you need such places?  Can't you commune with your god in private?

Can't you engage in spreading peace, without trying to convert others?  Not that I am stating you do try to convert.

Isn't the purpose of religion to be loving and joyful to ALL, regardless of their own beliefs?

Or, is it acceptable to be loving, joyful, and peaceful ONLY to those who believe the same dogma and follow the same rituals as yourself?

Reread my message, what I was saying is I would like to gather with people with the same interests and beliefs. Like baseball fans do at a game, or trekkies, or scrabble players, or bridge players, in this case with people who share the same spiritual beliefs to talk and sing and maybe have dinner or a party with and basically have a good time. SO why should we not have a NAME that indicates what our interest is and a place where we can meet people with the same interests and the right to ADVERTISE so that people who share our interests know where we are so they can come and join us. And why cant we ask others to join us. I dont complain if someone asks me to come along to karaoke, or to play bridge or to go bowling with them.

[Ashley-Star*Child]

No I seriously do NOT think a new religion is the answer. As it is there are many people who believe in God in their own way, and that way may not agree with someone else. Let it be.

That and, a 'One World Religion' is said to be brought on by the AntiChrist.

What I would like to see is the church/Vatican accepting some of the excluded books they are responsible for excluding, and abolishing some of the man-made rules, sticking instead to the ones God actually made.

Edited by Ashley-Star*Child, 22 June 2005 - 03:28 AM.