people know right from wrong... it's built into them.
The only thing "built" into people is instinct. Even animals function beyond pure instinct, and that is why it is obvious to me at least that they have a soul.
Humans who poison their souls with evil lose whatever conscience they had, where they become capable of extremely horrific and cruel acts. History bares that out.
they dont need a bunch of religious bullshit.
You don't need to be religious to be spiritual. Spirituality comes with an affinity to Nature, or the Universe in general.
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
sort of proves my point that the Catholics, agree or disagree with them, were the determinates of what stayed or went,
Surely doesn't prove they were right. Proves that they selected texts that placed them in the precarious position of middle men between God and the serfs, which turned out to be a great way to gain power, authority and massive amounts of wealth.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
Surely doesn't prove they were right. Proves that they selected texts that placed them in the precarious position of middle men between God and the serfs, which turned out to be a great way to gain power, authority and massive amounts of wealth.
Where did God ever claim to have written the books of the bible?
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
nature is completely unaware of common sense, physics, chemistry, or human natue.
Nature is all of the above, plus more.
Energy can not be created or destroyed. If you look at a human soul as a intelligent animated being of energy, then that soul lasts forever. The collection of souls is what forms the collective knowledge of all that ever lived, or will ever live. And THAT could be called God..
OR, that which created the souls in the first place would be the Supreme God of All, not just this Universe, but that of the infinite number of universes which more than likely exist.
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
It's not that God is seen as like a man, in a masculine image. It's the opposite. God created man in His image. Thus men are creative, & give life in the human process.Women, created through man, are by nature more submissive (this isnt derogatory)& mates
"Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you".Sirach 4:28
i guess what you have to come to terms with is this: christianity and judaism are obsolete....
they dont work anymore except on the most animalistic might makes right basis.
so you can have wars until you cant afford them anymore, you can have nuke wars that kill billions outright, you can fade away.
the fact remains: if you have to have religion, the only religion that makes sense will be a religion that worships the earth's capacity to sustain life.
Have you actually read the original Hebrew? That's not what it says.
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
And BTW, God didn't write the book of Genesis anyways, whether it's Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or English.
But if you must refer to it, at least use the original. The original states, "God (plural form) created Mankind (Adam is the Hebrew word for Mankind) in THEIR own likeness, male and female they were created."
And THAT isn't necessarily PHYSICAL appearance, but SPIRITUAL likeness in terms of how human souls (and ALL living beings) are either male or female. Some creatures share both traits.
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
I think that you expected others to find what only you can find for yourself. Now you are disappointed that "they" led you astray, as if you are some "victim" of religion.
Nope.
Personally, you could toss out all of the NT save the Sermon on the Mount and, if you followed it, you would be the LIGHT of the world......few opt to go that route though. Most are looking for somebody else to tell them how to get to the kingdom.
I've heard of cafeteria christians before, but that takes the cake.
And no one needs a fictional 'sermon on the mount' from a fictional 'jesus' to be able to live peacefully with others. One could just as easily obey the 42 Laws of Maat. Or any other set of moral/ethical principles. Or one could just be more self-centered and realize it is just better to be at peace than at war.
Consensus amongst theologians is that Genesis is a compilation from four distinct authors with different areas of emphasis, and Moses is not the author as was traditionally taught.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
I've heard of cafeteria christians before, but that takes the cake.
lol....every religion has an "in a nut shell" point of emphasis. This is, IMHO, what the Sermon on the Mount is to Christianity. Buddhism has the Dammapada to sum it all up. Hinduism has the Bagavad Gita.....they call it the Cream of the Upanishads for a reason.
Is that cake German Chocolate? Mmmmmmmmmm.......
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
What you are not grasping is that most people do not go to church to grow or to find a conscience.......they go for companionship, support, to fulfill social "needs" and for cookies.
Compassion? The Sermon on the Mount is about compassion and, personally, I do think that this world could use more of it. Frankly, I don't know of any Christians who follow the Sermon on the Mount. One Christian told me that it was meant for angels, others tell me they can't be "perfect" like that because they are sinners......but I do know Buddhists who practice the teaching and they sure do shine, which reveals the truth in the teaching about being the light.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
OR, that which created the souls in the first place would be the Supreme God of All, not just this Universe, but that of the infinite number of universes which more than likely exist.
That is pretty much how I see it. At least as a plausible possibility.
Just because a person doesn't hold the jew god in high esteem doesn't mean that there is no Creator God. Or maybe there isn't. But too many think that just because one does not believe in the jew 'god' then that person must be an atheist.
In the King James Version Bible, the word 'fear' did not mean, as it does today, 'to be scared of'. Rather, it meant 'have deep respect for'.
Therefore one should fear God - in other words, respect God for who he is - show him respect and honour and love. In the same Bible, we are also asked to fear our parents - not to be scared of them (!!!) but to show them the respect they should receive from us.
The word for fear here means "reverential fear." It means that one must be serious about their relationship to God. People who "fear" the Lord are not anxious about their relationship to him, or afraid of Him, they take very seriously their responsibility to Him.
Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
"ALL" legal fictions without exception are FRAUD. This FRAUD creates an illusion that is destroying America. Please, quit helping the enemy any way you can. Resistance is victory.
no, forgiveness for those who are here and have wronged us...
rather than the eye for eye judaic law that demanded vengeance
Thou hast power only to act not over the result thereof. Act thou therefore without prospect of the result and without succcumbing to inaction. The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it...Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction...Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.
rather than the eye for eye judaic law that demanded vengeance
Even though I am not a Laveyan satanist, that does not mean that the following words of his do not have merit, over and above what the jew bible says.
It is based on common sense.
The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked. [A definite forum killer -PSUSA]
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
3. When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.
7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
you may find the tao te ching of interest. very non 'god'...in fact, there are records of taoist immortals living to the age of 250 years, the most recent being in the last century, documented by a chinese general.....one does not fabricate in imperial or communist china, the penalties were death, unlike our country...you did not lie more than once to the emperor....
that which you call the tao is not the tao, etc...
also, for an oracle that will frazzle your synapses with its spooky accuracy consult the i ching.
http://www.ichingonline.net/index.php
http://wayist.org/ttc%20compared/redpine.htm (tao te ching, red pine translation)
Thou hast power only to act not over the result thereof. Act thou therefore without prospect of the result and without succcumbing to inaction. The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it...Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction...Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.
Thou hast power only to act not over the result thereof. Act thou therefore without prospect of the result and without succcumbing to inaction. The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it...Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction...Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.
Li Ching-Yuen From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Li Ching-Yuen
Li Ching-Yuen, photographed in 1927 at the residence of General Yang Sen Born 1677 or 1736 (purportedly) Szechuan, China Died May 6, 1933 (aged 256 or 197?) Szechuan, China Height 7ft 0in (213 cm) Li Ching-Yuen or Li Ching-Yun (traditional Chinese: 46;65;42;; pinyin: LÐ Q+ngyún; died May 6, 1933) was a Chinese herbalist, martial artist and tactical advisor. He claimed to be born in 1736, while disputed records suggest 1677. Both alleged lifespans of 197 and 256 years far exceed the longest confirmed lifespan of 122 years and 164 days of the French woman Jeanne Calment. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 2 The secret of longevity 3 References about Master Li Ching Yuen 4 References 5 External links [edit]Biography
Some claim that Li Ching-Yuen was born in 1677 in Qi Jiang Xian, Szechuan province.[citation needed] By his own account, he was born in 1736.[citation needed] However, in 1930, Professor Wu Chung-chieh of the University of Chengdu discovered Imperial Chinese government records from 1827, congratulating one Li Ching-Yuen on his 150th birthday, and further documents later congratulating him on his 200th birthday in 1877. In 1928, a New York Times correspondent wrote that many of the old men in Li's neighborhood asserted that their grandfathers knew him when they were boys, and that he at that time was a grown man.[1] He began gathering herbs in the mountain ranges at the age of ten, and also began learning of longevity methods, surviving on a diet of herbs and rice wine. He lived this way for the first 100 years of his life. In 1749, when he was 71 years old, he moved to Kai Xian to join the Chinese army as a teacher of the martial arts and as a tactical advisor. One of his disciples, the Taiji Quan Master Da Liu told of Master Li's story: at 130 years old Master Li encountered an older hermit, over 500 years old, in the mountains who taught him Baguazhang and a set of Qigong with breathing instructions, movements training coordinated with specific sounds, and dietary recommendations. Da Liu reports that his master said that his longevity "is due to the fact that I performed the exercises every day - regularly, correctly, and with sincerity - for 120 years."[2] In 1927, Li Ching Yuen was invited by General Yang Sen to visit him in Wan Xian, Szechuan. The general was fascinated by his youthfulness, strength and prowess in spite of his advanced age. His famous portrait was photographed there. Returning home, he died a year later, some say of natural causes; others claim that he told friends that "I have done all I have to do in this world. I will now go home." After Li's death, General Yang Sen investigated the truth about his claimed background and age. He wrote a report that was later published. In 1933, people interviewed from his home province remembered seeing him when they were children, and that he hadn't aged much during their lifetime. Others reported that he had been friends with their grandfathers. Li's obituary was printed in The New York Times, Time Magazine, and other publications. The Time magazine article stated that in 1930 Professor Wu Chung- chieh, from Chengdu University, found records from the Chinese Imperial Government congratulating Li Ching Yuen in his 150th birthday in 1827.[3] He worked as an herbalist, promoting the use of wild reishi, goji berry, wild ginseng, he shou wu and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs.[4] Li had also supposedly produced over 200 descendents during his life span, surviving 23 wives.[5][6] [edit]The secret of longevity
The article "Tortoise-Pigeon-Dog", from the May 15, 1933 issue of Time reports on his history, since it included Li Ching-Yuen's answer to his secret of a long life:[3] Tranquil mind Sit like a tortoise Walk sprightly like a pigeon Sleep like a dog [edit]References about Master Li Ching Yuen
Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, in his book "Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong", says that Li Ching-Yuen was a Chinese herbalist skilled in Qigong who spent most of his life in the mountains. In 1927, the National Revolutionary Army General Yang Sen (ÿ62; 62;), invited him to his residence in Wann Hsien, Szechuan province, where the picture shown in this article was taken.[7] Chinese General Yang Sen wrote a report about him, "A Factual Account of the 250 Year-Old Good-Luck Man", where he described Li Ching Yuen's appearance: "He has good eyesight and a brisk stride; Li stands seven feet tall, has very long fingernails, and a ruddy complexion."[8] Stuart Alve Olson wrote in 2002 the book "Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching Yuen". In this book he teaches the practice of the "Eight Brocade Qigong" learned with the Taiji Quan Master T. T. Liang (Liang Tung Tsai), who learned it from the General Yang Sen.[9] According to legend, Li Ching Yuen was the creator of Jiulong Baguazhang (or Nine Dragons Baguazhang). The Taoist Master Liu Pai Lin (Ó29;/34;01;), who lived in São Paulo, Brazil from 1975 until 2000, had in his classroom another photograph of Master Li Ching Yuen unknown to the West. In this photo his face is clearly visible, as are his long and curled fingernails.[10] Master Liu had met him personally in China, and considered him as one of his Masters. He used to say that Master Li answered to him that the fundamental taoist practice is to learn to keep the "Emptiness" (Wuji). Master Liu's son, Master Liu Chih Ming, teaches the 12 Silks Qigong in CEMETRAC, as transmitted by Master Li. Many cultures around the world, particularly in India, Tibet and China, tell of remarkable longevity achieved by spiritual (yogic and taoist) adepts. Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi" with Immortal sage, Babaji and Peter Kelder's "The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth" being examples.[11][12] [edit]References
^ Ettington, Martin K. (2008). Immortality: A History and How to Guide: Or How to Live to 150 Years and Beyond. Martin Ettington. p. 43. ISBN 978-1440464935. ^ Liu, Da (1983). Taoist Health Exercise Book. Putnam Publishing Group. ^ a b "Tortoise-Pigeon-Dog". TIME. May 15, 1933. ^ Castleman, Michael; Saul Hendler, Sheldon (1991). The healing herbs: the ultimate guide to the curative power of nature's medicines. Rodale Press. p. 206. ISBN 978-0878579341. ^ Harris, Timothy (2009). Living to 100 and Beyond. ACTEX Publications. p. 70. ISBN 978-1566986991. ^ Miami Herald (October 12, 1929). "Living forever". The Evening Independent. ^ Jwing-Ming, Yang (1989). Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Chi Kung: The Secret of Youth. YMAA Publication Centre. ISBN 0-940871-06-8. ^ Sen, Yang. A Factual Account of the 250 Year-Old Good-Luck Man. Taipei, Taiwan: Chinese and Foreign Literature Storehouse. ^ Olson, Stuart Alve (2002). Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-Yuen. Healing Arts Press. ISBN 0-89281- 945-6. ^ Lin, Liu Pai; Hayashi, Yoshitsugu; Shioda, Kenichi (1995). Taoist Chi Kung Secret Transmission. {83;|14;Ñ86;$56;. ISBN 4-88481-426-6. ^ Kelder, Peter (1998). The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group. ISBN 0-385-49162-X. ^ Reid, Daniel (1994). The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing. Shambhala. ISBN 1-57062-071-7. [edit]External links
Thou hast power only to act not over the result thereof. Act thou therefore without prospect of the result and without succcumbing to inaction. The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it...Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction...Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise.
Consensus amongst theologians is that Genesis is a compilation from four distinct authors with different areas of emphasis, and Moses is not the author as was traditionally taught.
Yes, I've read of that as well.
I've also read that much of it was written as an allegory (a fictional tale meant to teach a moral lesson).
"The real deal is this: the royalty controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
What you are not grasping is that most people do not go to church to grow or to find a conscience.......they go for companionship, support, to fulfill social "needs" and for cookies.
People can get that at an orgy.
Along with STD's and spiritual degradation.
The meaning of life is not "sex", nor is it the materialist "buy a Mercedes and a Million dollar condo.
Life is ultimately a simplicity and the trappings of religious worship are not the essence of religion. They are largely fulfillment of social ritual creating a sense of belonging to a group. The priesthood likes them too because they provide a means of control.
However, wherever there is someone asking, and seeking to know, "Who am I?", "What am I?", or "Is there some meaning to life?" there is religion.
Rejecting some specific dogma or belief does not change that. Negation is not existence it is nothingness.
"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide. ~ Gautama Siddhartha The Buddha
However, wherever there is someone asking, and seeking to know, "Who am I?", "What am I?", or "Is there some meaning to life?" there is religion individual contemplation.
Religion is a mass movement and does not truly answer these questions, because it takes blind faith to BELIEVE that the answers provided are correct.
But if through self-contemplation a satisfactory answer is reached, then it can be believed without faith. It can also be modified or even discarded when new information becomes available. It just doesn't pay to become too (emotionally) invested in beliefs.
If it's right for you, then it's right for you even if it is not right for me. Even the infamous "satanist" Crowley said as much. Not that i understand much of what he wrote, but I understand that.
I've also read that much of it was written as an allegory (a fictional tale meant to teach a moral lesson).
Yes, I have read this too, although not completely fictional as the allegory is said to be of the fall of the previous great civilization of humanity with all remnants covered by the sands of time. The creation stories, flood and fall are prevalent far beyond the Bible.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
The problem is, it is spread so thin among those that do not deserve compassion that the term has become meaningless.
Compassion is beyond the age of blame. It is the love of ONE for ALL with no exceptions. So there is none who "do not deserve" compassion as this is a judgment on others from a limited perspective within a linear time stream. Compassion can only arise when love supersedes the need to judge and where forgiveness is a state of being and not an occasional act granted on a whim.
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
IMO this "love for all" also dilutes love to the point of meaninglessness. No one is this one-dimensional. Even the jew 'god' does not make such a claim in scriptures where it is quoted verbatim somehow. bible.cc/isaiah/45-7.htm
IMO this "love for all" also dilutes love to the point of meaninglessness.
No one is this one-dimensional.
It is not an easy task for humans, but this type of love is an acknowledgement of yourself in all others and all others in yourself. It is the path beyond blame that persists through out humanity with few positives and a lot of negatives. Leveling the playing field to this extent leaves no room for the ego to thrive, but humility and modesty and love fill that void.
This type of love increases one's sense of responsibility for the self and for others, so it is extremely meaningful, IMHO. Humans find this difficult because most value the mask of personality and ego above the soul. When people believe that the mask is WHO they are, it is frightening to imagine otherwise which leaves few to tread this path.
One-dimentional? I see it as the opposite, multi-dimentional to the extent of ten billion human souls, which makes it difficult to fathom. : )
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
"Life's tough, and even tougher if you're stupid." --John Wayne
this type of love is an acknowledgement of yourself in all others and all others in yourself. It is the path beyond blame that persists through out humanity with few positives and a lot of negatives. Leveling the playing field to this extent leaves no room for the ego to thrive, but humility and modesty and love fill that void.
omg I just want to breed with you.
Is that wrong?
;)
"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. ~ Patrick Henry