Search results

Thank you for the compliment. :D

There is a difference between performing an action in order to impress others--doing it for an ego's sake--and performing a ritual that's designed to point to an interior change. Take the ritual of baptism. I'd bet my bottom dollar that some people go through it for the sake of others' opinion...

According to various sources--including the website whose link I provided--at least two other people later copied/verified more than 200 lines of the text that Notovich had copied. I've read that the book in question disappeared shortly after the three individuals snuck a peek at it. (It's...

I never made a "good" Catholic--a major reason why I no longer wear the label. In fact, I now wear none at all. :D Just yesterday--yes, one day before the anniversary of 9/11--I ordered a copy of the Qur'an because I've been telling myself that I should really take the time to read/study it...

There is a story that Jesus spent time elsewhere in the world after his disciples went forth to preach/teach the "good news"--and also during his "lost years." In fact, there is a story of an ancient text secreted in a Tibetan monestary that tells of Jesus' appearance in the region after his...

Heck, Jesus is quoted as having said, "...The one who is not against you is for you" (ESV, Luke 9:50). But that statement is very humbling and unifying--too much so, it seems, for fundamentalist thinking. Such an act could also signify that an adherent of Christianity places greater...

Heh... I'm American, and I rather enjoy irony. But I had to roll my eyes when I first learned the name of Jones' "church." *snort* :D

There's no need to defend your thoughts and feelings to us; you're entitled to them.

I feel the same way in terms of understanding Christianity better by viewing it through a different filter. My filter is primarily Taoism and Hinduism--i.e., the Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads, in particular. I'm not actually a practicing Taoist or Hindu, but I greatly respect...

No, no, and no. :D

I agree; as Shakespeare's character Hamlet says: "...there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

I believe that the Tao--the Way--is a way of life, a form of instruction on how one is to truly live. But I see all holy texts as providing this same instruction. I don't see any prophet as saying, "Worship me." Instead, they instruct: "Do as I do in order to attain Heaven/Nirvana/etc." But...

I could have written this statement; so I understand your quandry.

I can think of three reasons: 1) You've previously offered to share your list. :D 2) I'm curious to see how your list compares to my own with regards to the Catholic faith. 3) I simply enjoy learning about people's religious and/or spiritual experiences. Everyone's approach to God...

I would really like to read your list. Feel free to share it in this thread. But if you'd prefer to send me a PM, that works, too. :D

Any religion's adherent who is hate-filled is missing the mark. Fred Phelps--and others of like ilk--come to mind in terms of Christianity. :mad:

We are cut from the same cloth, you and I. :D I have not joined multiple churches to dip my toes in the waters of various faiths. But I have studied the beliefs of too many religions/sects to count. And like you, I find pieces of truth within each of them. But I also see every religion as...

The Crusades and Burning Times, anyone? :(

I'm curious to know three things: 1) What religious faith(s) have you left? 2) Why did you decide to leave it/them? 3) To what religion/sect did you convert and why? All the best, DS

I think that such stories about God--which I believe only exist in the OT, not the NT--are due to mankind's (mis)understanding of God. The culture in which the people lived, I'm sure, greatly influenced their view(s) of God. Even today, people tend to make God in their (humankind's) image...