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Recently, somewhere on the internet, I came across the question "do we need the institution of religion to enjoy the benefits of spirituality?" From the comfort zone of my own pick and mix style spirituality, I would once have said no. Of recent years, however, that certainty has weakened, and...

I only recently came across Pelagius on another forum. The mention of his name instantly put the few who responded into opposing camps. I read the Wiki and viewed this video He seems to be a very interesting character. Has anybody else got an opinion of him?

For some time before I had joined this site, I had made other attempts to join. All failed. No explanation was offered? I could see that others were joining, so I began to wonder if I was being blocked. So I used a different name "Leveller" and got in without problem. As time has gone by there...

I am hoping to ask a series of questions, alongside my reading, in order to gain a better understanding of Christianity. I have seen and heard Jesus Christ referred to as the "son of God." Is this correct (in trinitarian terms)? Should the term God be replaced with Father. At my present stage...

Over the course of this year, I have come across several references to people in England joining the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is not something that I recall seeing in previous years. I this a new trend? If so, what is behind it?

I was reading something this morning in which the phrase "the Christian tradition" was used. A little later I was looking at the 'I identify as' thread here on I.O. It suddenly struck me, what a good word tradition was. I have known people to mention their religion in hushed, almost embarrassed...

A friend has recommended the books on Integral Theory by Ken Wilber. I am not sure and already have a huge reading list. Has anbody here read his work?

Next month I will have been a member for a year. I have already seen quite a few come and go. @badger I hope he will return. A very interesting man. @Unveiled artist. Not here long, but I liked her. I am sure some of the long-timers recall many characters. So, who do you miss?

Obviously the Bible is indispensible to the Christian faith but what other books tend to be particularly valued by Christians.

I kept coming across references to Ursula Le Guin so in the end decided to give it a try. I have bought 'The Dispossesed' and am a quarter of the way through. So far I am quite impressed. Anybody else here read her books?

Around the age of eighteen, my hardcore materialism got its first major dent. A friend showed me a magazine article about Pre-Raphaelite paintings. There was a moment of emotion that was both unique and very at odds with my worldview. I experienced something similar when many years later I...

@Ella S. recently wrote about the quality of this forum not being what it was. I totally agree with her. Since discovering them many years ago I have generally liked forums, joined many, and have often found them to be both entertaining and informative. It never lasts of course. There is always...

A while back I was seriously considering reading the Bible, I thought of doing this alongside Asimov's Guide to the Bible, a copy of which I own. This was to be a hobby not a deep study. I am still toying with the idea and may start when I move and life has settled down. My question is would it...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-26/adelaide-university-occult-club-registration-rejected/101097552

Not new but I thought I would try again with this forum, so many interesting people here. Thanks to the two kind people who encouraged me.

I have long been puzzled by the story in Mark, of Jesus spitting in the eye of the blind man. There is a similar story in John, I am not sure if it is the same case or not. Now Jesus can raise the dead and he can walk on water and he does these truly incredible things without props or gimmicks...

This post is directed to @Ella S. in particular, but comments from everyone are very welcome. I have intended to read about Gnosticism since coming across an article discussing "similarities" with Buddhism. I think Richard Gombrich was the academic concerned. In addition, alchemy has cropped up...

For me, it is Roman Catholicism. I know I am not the only one either. For many years I have had this feeling of fondness for the church as if it had once been a part of my life. A few years back I was rather sleepily watching a T.V. documentary about the English reformation. I found myself...

I have just started this, to be totally honest, rather strange book. It is subtitled Mind, Hallucinogens and the I Ching. By Terence and Dennis McKenna. I suspect it will be tough going in parts, but Terence does fascinate me so I am determined to stick it out. It would be nice to hear from...

The idea of nature-based religions has long interested me. At a time of searching, I made a brief investigation of Wicca. At the time, it was the only one that I had heard of. It was, to be frank, pretty disappointing. I have zero interest in spells and am not overly fond of ritual...