RockKnutne Loc: Valhöll

Shalom She Wolf. Interesting choice of words, "I do not define my philosophy". When you say Christian God, that implies a rather polytheist world view. Is that what you mean?

I'm going to guess, you are more spiritual in nature than religious. Would that be about right? If God is spirit, does that not imply a single God universe?

Just curious.

RockKnutne Loc: Valhöll

I would be proud to give you my commentary mi amigo. I guess that kind of makes me the designated driver for at least another 15 minutes and then, it's time to switch.

:wink:

RockKnutne Loc: Valhöll

It's easier just to agree with everything I said. I have been known to put the `el in eloquent, not for any other reason then I may write even more. Now that's how I really give `em all `el.

:wink:

Augustus Greatorex Loc: NE

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I believe everything in the universe is connected to one creator. We differ on how it is connected. I would say more of an animistic philosophy. I am very spiritual in nature.

My faith would take far to much time to explain in detail. I believe God doesn't really care which path you choose as long as you choose one that brings you closer to your t***h.

RockKnutne Loc: Valhöll

RockKnutne wrote:
These are all very good thoughts and well thought out ideas.


And that is because... ? Auggie, did your mom and dad have to play airplane to get you to eat? Sheesh!

:XD: :XD: :XD:

RockKnutne Loc: Valhöll

One God, that works for me. As far as all natural things having souls, who could know for sure but God? I think so long as you seek God, you will find Him and therefore know t***h. They are interchangeable and inseparable.

If Jesus Christ is God made flesh, than you are a Christian by default and, by no fault of your own. Can you live with that knowledge? I know, you can't live without it.

Thanks

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Ahhhh, She Wolf, if only more could allow themselves to adopt your wide-open arms philosophy, there would be a lot less angst floating around the universe. I agree with you, the path one chooses to God belongs to that person, and that person alone.

I was raised in a Southern Baptist household. I found it didn't work for me. I tried other religions as well, thinking that if I didn't "belong" to a religion, there was something wrong with me. Then, I went through a number of "church" experiences, all negative, and walked away from religion per se. One day I came to the realization that faith and grace are really what had gotten me through, and it dawned on me that what I had been searching for in all those churches was a personal connection to God, a direct link. I never looked back. To get some friends from my former church to quit pestering me to come back, I "visited" one Sunday recently. I found it totally alien and wooden. I almost experienced a full blown panic attack. I couldn't wait to get out of there and look up into the crystal clear blue sky and say "thank you God for helping me see my true path." That said, I know that for a great many, a religious path serves them well.

Augustus Greatorex Loc: NE

A man's religion is his thoughts, words, and deeds.

His spirituality is his state of being.

A man's religion is observable. Do his words match his actions? If they do not, then his religion is other than he has claimed.

A man's spirituality is unobservable, and as such neither he, nor we, can know it.

The claim of being spiritual is a claim of the unprovable.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I wouldn't say I am a Christian. I do not know enough about the dogma of that religion to claim it as my own. I wouldn't insult the people who study and believe by claiming a faith I know little about.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

I claim no "specific" religion, yet my actions more often than "not" reflect my belief in a greater power. If I state I belong to no religion, but my actions reflect some homage to a higher power, does that not reflect spirituality?

State of being...I think it is observable.....why else would doctors say the patient is in a comatose or vegetative state or that the individual was in a state of euphoria? They have developed criteria to affirm such a state, because certain criteria can be discerned. So, if, as you claim, and I tend to agree with you, spirituality is a state of being, but I think it is observable. Granted, spirituality doesn't jump out at you, like religion does, the criteria "perhaps" subjective, because individual spirituality differs, but it is my belief that you know spirituality when you see it. While I have not seen criteria for spirituality in print, I bet if I looked hard enough I might just find such a thing. You don't have to guess about someone's spirituality, if you take the time to listen and observe. It walks the walk even when religion sometimes doesn't. Just my humble opinion here.

Augustus Greatorex Loc: NE

The purpose of claiming "spirituality" is to avoid "walking the talk."

Consider the actual meaning of "religion." A person's religion is what they do. People show their religion by their actions.

Every living person is "spiritual." If there is a "spirit," the fact that a person has a spirit makes that person spiritual.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

I think that's a very good summation, yet, so many would rather deny any "God" or is that Faith of something more...I often wonder how much is based on faith or lack thereof because they don't have faith, period...Maybe a chosen metaphysical, new age approach in if its not tangible, it doesn't exist.???

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

While on the subject, what about kindred spirits?? Exist, or not?? Or the concept of Soul mates, exist, or not???

Not too long ago I read an exert to a story that based deja vue feelings on the fact DNA passes from one generation to another, and something we remembered, or thought we remembered actually came from that t***sformation of DNA..It was explaining the evolution process of all things from then to now....And the continued changes even now in animals to weather mass...

Obviously it discredited any concept of Religion or spirit for that fact..

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Searching you recite exactly what I too expierenced many years ago..In the seek and find mode and having attended a number of churches I never felt quite right in them..Not because of the church but rather what they "preached"...As expressed in my earlier posts, I do believe wh**ever religion or spiritualism you claim it must first come from within..The heart knows and feels when it is right...Looking for a couple of years I became disenchanted with "organized religion and fire and brimstone, die in hell, etc..I then began reading a lot of different books and a lot on line sites of the issue and nothing changed why I believe...My love and commitment is from me to Him, personal, private and bonds us because of that..Now, don't get me wrong I do go to churches as I also realize they are the moral reinforcement of Gods word and something I do feel helps..I always feel better when having gone..But I feel better because I rejoice with Him, not because of the sermon that may or may not agree with...