Ulitmate Question!

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Ok I want everyone to answer this question for me, I want the whole community here to take part. What I want to know is which of you practice a religion? Which of you are spiritualists? And which of you are atheists? I hope Brian will also answer this question. Basically where do you fall in terms of views?



Personally I'm a practicing Christian Greek Orthodox and respect all religions.

==========
I have only just seen this, so here is my brief answer.

I do not adhere to, represent, or worship in the name of any recogniseable God, Church or Religion.

I was a Christian until the age of fourteen, but at the moment of the laying on of hands by the Bishop at my 'Confirmation', I saw the light of 'reason'.

My theism (- yes, I am not an atheist, as some seem to believe -) is purely personal, as is the path everyone else treads.

Blind and unreasoning adherence to Religions has been the bane of humanity (from historical evidence), in my purely personal opinion.

What needs to be recognised is the spiritual dimension within each of us... and that is likely to vary as much as individuals vary.

I think you might find that Jesus of Nazareth said something like that too. Your personal heart (and soul?) is the creator and arbiter of your spirtual responses, and that is a fact. What the believers affirm is true for themselves... and that can be anything they conceive in their hearts.

This is why all spiritual responses should be respected... in reason, and in the name of Humanity.

[I, Brian]

As a child I always had a sense of "something there" that was always beyond my senses and understanding.

Nowdays I'm sort of Theist, Deist, Universalist, all in one and none at all - all the labels I encounter seem to fail to describe my position, and instead simply succeed in being divisive where I see no division. This applies to religion, too.

In 1997 I did a spell of ascetism and had some rather mind-blowing spiritual experiences - direct Communion with God sort of thing. Also had some form of Near Death Experience when 18. Overall, I could probably start my own religion pretty easily, but I don't because:

a) God said don't
b) I'm British so I try to be modest
c) I'm sometimes too cynical to believe myself.

Currently extremely tied up in responsibilities of family and work, so I tend not to have time to reflect on the universe at the moment.

[Postmaster]

Brian, I'll give you my opinion about you .. You have the potential to expand your spirituality through religion or your own thoughts, however for the time being your lost and I think your enjoying the fact that you feel something is there but not acting on it. It’s like a comfort for you that there is something more but you won't go into. Could be wrong? I'm sure we all feel like that, personally that’s how I’ am. Why not create your own religion? You could but you probably won't get far if you don't have a divine gift of having a way with people, you never know though, you just might well.... I'm still waiting for Christ to come back

Anyone can be a prophet

1. A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom the will of a god is expressed.
2. A person gifted with profound moral insight and exceptional powers of expression.
3. A predictor; a soothsayer.
4. The chief spokesperson of a movement or cause.

But no one can be the son of God. I personally feel I have prophet elements to me. Although I know I won't be anyone great I know I have some trates.

[Sacredstar]

Dear PM

Very true in fact it is predicted in the bible that after the false prophets, GOD's children would become prophets.

being love

Sacredstar

[I, Brian]

Indeed, it is a little hard to remain focussed on spiritual matters, when most of your time is spent on marketing.

But life has many stages - this is a "distant" time in terms of feeling the spiritual, and difficult in that regard, too. But I see it as a wider plan - important ground work needs to be done to achieve ultimate selfless goals.

As for prophets, prophesy, and starting own religions - it's always seemed a spiritual truth that we are all equal. Any attempt to set ourselves above that seems ultimately a self-serving act of egotism, no matter the justification.

[mirrorinthefog]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

As for prophets, prophesy, and starting own religions - it's always seemed a spiritual truth that we are all equal. Any attempt to set ourselves above that seems ultimately a self-serving act of egotism, no matter the justification.

I agree.

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

All this talk about being non-denominational, does it make me a bad Christian if I'm an interdenominational? I just believe there is a universal truth in religion. However, it does seem to break the boundaries of my teachings there for, does that make me a full practicing Christian? Or does it make me more spiritual that I can accept other religions but less religious myself. The reason I find myself being interdenominational is because I can't bare the fact that millions of people on this earth are practicing a false religion. So I took myself out being supiror that comes with being "human" and seen a universal truth to the spiritual people that created the teachings. Even if it comes at a price of contradiction and hypocrisy. The reason I’m a practicing Christian Greek Orthodox, is because it was something I was born into and it is something I inherited. I would break more hearts converting then I would not and also that I'm happy with the religion because it allows my spiritual growth, which is fair to say many religions in the world would all allow spiritual positive growth.

No it doesnt make you a bad Christian I was raised a Lutheran then was a baptist till I decided to become non-denominational. My reasoning for this was because I felt that some man made doctrine was contrary to the doctrine of God. I followed a path that I believe God set for me and this is where it led me. Christ spoke against the doctrine of the pharisees and sadducees and we were to beware of false doctrine.

Romans 6:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Faithful Servant

[Mathghamhain]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

You have the potential to expand your spirituality through religion or your own thoughts, however for the time being your lost and I think your enjoying the fact that you feel something is there but not acting on it.

I think Brian started this site & alot of people are here looking for answer to questions they might have or to find people that believe in similar things to share or compare views. In short to learn, learn more about the path they have chosen or about the path they are already on & as for me if I did not work 2 jobs to pay the bills I would have more time to study & practice or maybe start my own religion but right now I was raise a Catholic but I am not a practicing Catholic & my beliefs are Animism in nature. If I had to pick a religion I would pick Shinto, from the Chinese "Shen Tao" or The way of the Spirit"

As for prophets, most had done similar things
1) was alone in the wilderness
2) prayed/meditated
3) fasted
anything else?

Mathghamhain

[Postmaster]

I'm not well educated on world religions but I know a fair bit about them but would getting in touch with a being out of the material world be a fundamental for all religion founders too?

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

I'm not well educated on world religions but I know a fair bit about them but would getting in touch with a being out of the material world be a fundamental for all religion founders too?

I find it a surprisingly common human experience. In fact, general "far out there" spiritual phenomenon in general. Simply that some people like to draw more attention to themselves about it, while others simply move on and simply be. A lot of people on this site are in the latter.

[Postmaster]

It’s a shame that people don't talk about them if you ask me. The reason being is, we now live in a world where everything has to be explained, it’s now become the very laws of our societies, the material world. Talking about our experiences makes them more real and when they are more real then you open path ways for people. I personally would only tell of my experiences on a forum like this because feel that people here probably have also experienced similar and would accpet the claims. You may see that I opened up a thread about my experience and to be honest it wasn't to draw attention to me, but it was an attack on science and also for realization that there is more out there, and I hope to open awareness and thoughts to a better path.

[Vajradhara]

Namaste all,


i find it difficult enough to explain my experience of eating an orange, let alone trying to describe spiritual experiences and so forth

[Postmaster]

We have the divine gift of speech and communication. An experience
will always be an experience, everything else is down to the person hearing.

[PersonaNonGrata]

believing in religion is an escape from your own mind

i am happy with my buddy, the one you fear deadly...

[Postmaster]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

As for prophets, prophesy, and starting own religions - it's always seemed a spiritual truth that we are all equal. Any attempt to set ourselves above that seems ultimately a self-serving act of egotism, no matter the justification.

Brian we are all equal, even God is our equal. In my view God is pure positive energy, and we all know that superiority is negative. Prophets have a positively about them that is god like but it doesn't mean they are not equal just because they want to help people and show a positive path. A prophet would be the opposite of someone in a hierarchy. A prophet has to be willing to die for his cause of helping people and that’s exactly what world religion leaders have done. I must also point out to you that know human on this earth is perfect and even prophets are human