Is it ok to follow any religion?

[wil]

You've always seemed to have such a calming presence.

many thanx, always nice when one wanders off the path to have someone gently nudge them in the right direction.

Reverting to old thinking and ways...no one to blame but myself.

namaste,

[_Z_]

Bandit, hi.

I see what you are saying, let us then continue: consider that on a sub-quantum level, ‘thought’ or mind spirit and everything are as one but not yet formed – ‘a blank sheet of paper’. Then there is subtle reality, [the sub-design] where what we consider the physical and the spiritual [mind, being] are formed into gross reality. They are still elements of the one thus we could say that; the physical is in fact also a form of spirit! If we think of the foetus, then from its very first point of creation it has spirit, it then develops within the Ether - so to say - until it is fully human [a reflection of that universal nature = the humanative!]. If we imagine the snake, it has a backbone thus probably has chakras or spiritual centres, then as we go through more complex beings then the spirit develops with the form! We arrive at human, being the most developed, yet it has at its heart the same universal ‘atom-self’ as a single celled life-form!



Wil, hi.

The thing is we wont ever arrive at one religion! It is like tribes and countries, you get some end and some begin, then with waves of importance, e.g. I was talking to an American Indian chap, and he said how they were a subculture and people, I then pointed out that the American Indians were of Mongolian decent, and that such was the force of the Mongol migration and influx throughout the Indian subcontinent the middle east and eastern Europe, that the Mongolian peoples had actually become a major world race! A balance is usually kept that not one culture and religion shall be dominant, thus we will probably only ever arrive at a universal philosophy to reduce the duality between faiths. In the middle ages the tides of eternity drove humanity towards extremes of religion, the crusades etc, now I feel on many levels that there is a merging process going on, hence everything is becoming more universal – culturally politically and religiously.



Rdwillia, it is easy to miss threads here isn’t it!



‘Constantly searching’ that is the whole point! That we don’t just say ‘I know the answer and it is… [The bible for example], if we remain continually open, this removes the dogmatic approach! Time changes and we should find new interpretations. I do know what you mean concerning joining groups of others similar, as long as they remain open that’s ok, but whenever religion reaches a peak – and the authority that goes with this – it tends to show its ugliness! I would like to see all religions remain – for the diversity etc.

respect and thanx for interesting replies!

Z










.

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by _Z_

The thing is we wont ever arrive at one religion! It is like tribes and countries, you get some end and some begin, then with waves of importance, e.g.

There are limitations to extrapolating from the past. Ultimately all you can predict is the past. However, within that context perhaps some exceptions to the past are worthy of note - the United States hardly started united - each state had people arguing with every other state - and ultimately required a most painful war to settle its most grievous outstanding issues. In more recent times we have the European Union going through the early stages of these issues, with even greater barriers long in place.

Perhaps unity is more than possible.

[rdwillia]

Smkolins,

Ah, but who's to say the United States are truly united?

That's a very political and subjective uniting that's taking place. Such a uniting of religions might not work out as well.

[_Z_]

Smkolins,



What happens if your religion became the one and only? Does humanity stay the same for a thousand or a million years? I think when given such time spans it becomes obvious that nothing shall remain so, and that all things must change!

It is not truly universal, to follow paths or a path [or religion]! There is no right way. Perhaps the only way for humanity to arrive at one way is to have no ways!



Respect,



Z

[rdwillia]

Originally Posted by _Z_

Perhaps the only way for humanity to arrive at one way is to have no ways!

I tend to agree. It would seem that we must go through a period of chaos before we get where we're going... which is of course, nowhere in particular.

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by rdwillia

I tend to agree. It would seem that we must go through a period of chaos before we get where we're going... which is of course, nowhere in particular.

ha ha . i have been thinking that for years. everyone thinks we are going faster faster faster- when we are all going the same speed & going nowhere real fast.

i would like to start a comparative study one day on, progress VS regress.

would any of you guys be interested in that?

[_Z_]

Rdwillia

It would seem that we must go through a period of chaos before we get where we're going... which is of course, nowhere in particular.

, yep, for me it seams obvious that when you mix everything up, you arrive at soup! hmm actually if we mix sweet savoury etc. it would be more like vomit! Hope for the future yet then eh!





Bandit.



Progress vs regress, hmm I suppose if humanity gains in one area then it looses in another, which is why we are more materialistic today and perhaps lesser in spirituality.

sounds fun!

[rdwillia]

Hey Bandit,

Originally Posted by Bandit

Ha ha . i have been thinking that for years. everyone thinks we are going faster faster faster- when we are all going the same speed & going nowhere real fast.

I'm getting a really good visual from this. I wish I was more of an artist, or perhaps an animator. I could make a great cartoon. We'd be in a race with a common start and finish line, we'd all be in Flinstones-esque cars paddling our feet with all of our might, travelling at 5mph, thinking we're just flying. We're all taking different, equidistent paths which we all think are short-cuts. Then we all get to the finish line at the same time and get really confused when we realize we're back at the beginning. I'm getting an image of an Oscar-short!

i would like to start a comparative study one day on, progress VS regress.
would any of you guys be interested in that?

Of course! Assuming you didn't target any group(s) in particular and weren't too critical on certain specific topics, though I'd still read it. My two cents would be that there's a difference between regression and chaos though. Chaos might just be a stepping stone. But who's to say what regression is anyway? Maybe you? It's all perspective really.

Take care!

[hand]

In fact all religions teach about God.

i.e. Buddahs, Allah, Jehovah,ect... all refer to one person that is GOD.
They teach differently, have different ways of meditation and so one but they all talk about God's Will (intention) and practice similar way of life.
They all teach about the way of life and all that.

Well I'd say it is ok to follow any religion.
They can't harm you. RIGHT?

That is what I think, read in a book and what the preachers (teachers whatever you call them) my religion teaches me.
Hope you understand.

[_Z_]

Hand. Hello.

Well I'd say it is ok to follow any religion.
They can't harm you. RIGHT

Not if you are a black magician that believes in performing evil acts! Then it could be said that certain aspects of a given religion may have negative effects e.g. the crusades, witch burning… there are many dark paths people can be lead down thinking it is for the greater good.

etc.

Z

[hand]

That is very true!!
You have to carefully understand any religion BEFORE following it.
Well I can't really describe which religion I am practicing.
But I know I followed my parent's path. I really believe in the religion that I follow.

BUT FOR ONE THING THAT I AM SURE Z I DON'T PRACTICE BLACK MAGIC....ECT.

PLUS TO TELL YOU NOT ALL RELIGIONS PRACTICE BLACK MAGIC!!
Some people tend to misunderstand other people's religion. For e.g. in school my friends tend to tease me about the religion I practice (sometimes).

Also MOST religions tend to criticize a different religion that that religion are so and so, it is the wrong path for you to practice and so on.

But they in fact don't really understand what that religion is practicing.
Also they like to say that their religion is the truth and others aren't.

OH FOR ANYONE WHO IS CATHOLIC OF COURSE DON'T FEEL ANGRY IT IS IN FACT TRUE!
For e.g. The Catholic priests, preachers,.... like to say that the Jehovahs are protestants because they like start their own religon (SOMETHING LIKE THAT). Catholics think differently because that is what they are taught. In fact most religions have a different of teaching that is why their followers think so. Catholic priests like to say that their church is THE ONE, HOLY, CATHLOIC, APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
To me most churches are holy.

Almost all the people on earth thinks that the religion that they are practicing are better than others in fact they are all equal. (not black magicians)


Some people tend to believe people who practice rastafarianism smoke marijuana and so on. Not all rastas practice smoking marijuana and so on.


MY OPINION!!! PLUS WHAT I READ AND WHAT MY TEACHERS (WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM) TEACHES ME!!! MY KNOWLEDGE TOO!!!!!!!!

I am very talkative right??

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by _Z_

Smkolins,



[font=Times New Roman][size=3]What happens if your religion became the one and only? Does humanity stay the same for a thousand or a million years?

Certainly not. And my own religion forcasts another religion, indeed an endless series of religions. But that does not mean that endless war is inherent to the prospect of religion.

Nor would that place, of a world with only the Baha'i Faith, mean that the Founders of any Faith, nor the Faith-traditions of the hosts of the world, nor Their Scriptures and import, be dusty on the shelves or burnt in obscure fires.

[hand]

Hi smkolins:
I guess I must have said something wrong there.
Well I must correct that error.
ok here it is:
Most churches or religions think that their own churches or religions are better than others.

Thanks smkolins!!

Very much appreciate your kindness. I never did think good before typing.

What religion do you practice smkolin?
You must be very open-minded.

You won't mind my mistake won't you??
Hope to be your friend! ^_6

SORRY IF I JUST WRONGED SOME RELIGION OR PERSON!!

MY OPINION!!

[smkolins]

Originally Posted by hand

Most churches or religions think that their own churches or religions are better than others.

Thanks smkolins!!

No problem. The world is a big place. Lot's of strange things out here. :-)

Originally Posted by hand

What religion do you practice smkolin?
You must be very open-minded.

You won't mind my mistake won't you??
Hope to be your friend! ^_6

I'm a Baha'i, Hand. Openmindedness is a balance - the point is to seek truth wherever it is to be found, but not just pursuing the strange because it is strange. Sometimes the truth stands right in front of you, unseen. Other times it's out in the open and we are digging in the dirt. Freindliness is something Baha'is try to foster, as hard as it may be sometimes:

"Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship"