Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

This is for all of us who enjoy talking about faith. It is not just for Christian or Jewish, but is for all to include Spirituality. So, come on and let us make this our go to place for request for prayer, bible discussions, beliefs in nature......

All the rules for OPP apply. I ask that people not engage in cursing or name calling. Both defeat debate and meaningful conversations.

Be the first to post a topic!!

Tasine Loc: Southwest US

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Great idea for a thread! I like for everyone to know where I stand on the topic of religion. It makes conversation easier. I was raised in the Methodist Church. My parents did not "demand" I go, and we didn't say grace at home, didn't have a family Bible. I loved going to Sunday School and church, perhaps because we lived in the country on a farm and I loved being with town friends at school AND at church. As a youngster I was truly serious about my religion. My paternal grandfather was a religious bully and a control freak. He did nothing to help religion - if anything, I think he did harm to its reputation. NO ONE would like the religion he dictated.......was ALWAYS PREACHING AND CHIDING WHEN NO CHIDING WAS DESERVED.

In my early childhood I drifted away from religion. I had begun to question beliefs previously held. I had begun to question the validity of the Bible which had been interpreted so many times by so many people, and I had played the game of repetition where the last person SELDOM gets it right. I had begun to see religious flaws in some of the church leaders I shouldn't have seen. That doubt didn't make me turn against church or religion, but it DID affect me. I came to realize that I wasn't a Christian and would not present myself as one, but as a person who respected all the good that Christianity has done over the centuries. Yes, it has done some bad too, but people are human and they will make mistakes and that is not sufficient to condemn religion.

I believe the Christian religion and other good Americans who are principled, decent, honest, and honorable are the GLUE that has held America together all these decades, and I believe that is why the political left MUST DESTROY THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. I will probably NEVER be what I believe a Christian to be and will NOT pretend to be a Christian in order to "blend in". I will, however, hold it and true Christians in the highest respect because they SHOULD BE HELD IN HIGH RESPECT.. They are the salt of America and the world. I do definitely believe in God, who is my creator. I believe there is NOTHING He cannot do. I believe He is omnipotent and caring, and I believe He wants us to emulate Him, but I KNOW He doesn't force us to be any particular way.

I could talk about my beliefs til the cows come home, but will stop for now. Thanks for a great thread, Pennylynn. God bless!

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Actually this is a new area on OPP that is for the discussion of religion or faith. When you post a topic, just point to the Religion and you can post your thoughts or join an ongoing thread.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I practice the religion of my ancestors. It is the only one I can relate to. We do not actively seek members and are very selective as to whom we will accept. It requires a great deal of study of our faith as well a great deal of study into other faiths. We feel taking oaths is a very serious matter. If you are not sure, do not join.

Our faith is Animistic in nature. It is based upon what we call the nine noble virtues:

Courage
Truth
Honor
Troth
Self Discipline
Hospitality
Industriousness
Self-reliance
Perseverance

Do I live up to these? Not always, I'm human and I make mistakes. The above are only a small part of our belief system.They are our 9 Commandments if you will. I believe in my God and I respect all faiths.

Every day starts with and ends with prayer for guidance. My God is a loving God. I don't believe in heaven or hell. I don't believe in a devil. Man is the perpetrator of evil, we don't need supernatural forces. We do a good job all on our own. I believe you do the right thing because it is the right thing. No rewards in this life or the next.

It is a very complex religion. I could go on but I've probably bored you enough already.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I wish I could move your comment to the other area, because your faith is as important as any other. I agree, we do not need to go to a building to pray or be close to God. And it is my belief that Jesus never intended for people to build houses to sit and listen. After all, he only went to the Synagogue on high holey days. Otherwise he prayed in gardens, in homes, wherever the need arose.

I would like it if you would open a topic under the new section on your faith. I think there is much to learn from you and perhaps others can share their experiences with you.

BTW, I am Jewish and we do not worry over heaven or hell either. In fact the word hell as used by many is not quite accurate. But, that is for another time and thread.

WhatIt'sWorth Loc: Methane Sea, Jupiter

I too wish this thread could be moved into "the other area" which I finally found my way into.

I do not find She Wolf's animistic faith "boring" at all.

I have been on message-boards for over 15 years - arguing about the Bible and other religions -- sometimes making a fool of myself -- and sometimes merely being ignored.

As I reflect over the 15 years, Pennylynn, I find you so far to be the Jewish person with the most insight of NEW Testament writings of anyone who I have seen posting, iow, I find that your Bible knowledge is not limited to what we presumptuously call "the Old Testament".

I am a small percentage Kiowa by heredity, but know nothing whatsoever about any KIowa beliefs.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

You honor me. I worked with my Papa, a rabbi, who was directed to translate the Bible from original scripts to English. This was a process that many rabbis worked on and are still working on. Papa would finish a book and it would be sent to Israel where scholars of the language and Bible would review it, then it would go to another group to make sure that the second group was right. They would make their changes with their reasons and return the scripture or if everyone approved, then it would be sent to be published. He took his job very serious. Me, as a girl, I was allowed to be trained to help him. I studied the languages both at home and in the Synagogue and each summer I would go to Israel for more classroom time. Papa strongly believed in the works of Jesus and told me that I needed to not only read what was written about him, but understand why he said the things he did. So, by the age of 9 I could read and write in Hebrew and in Greek. I came to love the work as much as Papa and I love to share. There are times that I am stumped and do not know, and I will admit it. Pride is a two edge sword, it is good to know you have self worth and understanding, but on the same time pride can keep one from growing. Please if you should notice me being too prideful, remind me of my words.

I am glad you are here, and when you have time, look at my response to your other post.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Good morning all.
This morning I was thinking of a strange experience that wehad years ago. It is something to think about.

We lived in a 140 year old house that had become part of downtown in a Chicago suburb. We were only the third owner of the house, the fist family having lived in it for over one hundred years and many generations. At the time we had two cats and three dogs, all of which had run of the house and often went upstairs with us. The guest bedroom was down the end of the hall, and NONE of the animals would get near the door, let alone go in the room. One time when a friend stayed in the room, he said it was "creepy" and decided he would prefer a cot in any other room to the comfortable bed in that one. After a while we decided to look up the history of the house and found out that a member of the original family, an old blind man, died in that room many years ago. he room still seemed "unsettled" until one day SWMBO went into the room, sat on the bed and talked to the old man as if he here there. she told him that it was all right and it was time to go on to the next life, god wanted him to come home. After that the animals would go into the room, and it no longer seemed "creepy" or "unsettled" and many guests stayed in the room without any bad feelings.

It was at that time that we started to believe in spirits, and still do.

What do you all think?

WhatIt'sWorth Loc: Methane Sea, Jupiter

NPP - I think animals are smarter than we are about spirits.

I can neither confirm nor deny that the deceased spirit finally "passed on" and all was cool in the room - but such an account is consistent with many I have heard of.

Pennylynn, I admire you for being able to read Hebrew and Greek at age nine.

I can read Koine Greek at glacier-like speed, I took courses in college.

I cannot read Hebrew -- that stuff is upside-down and backwards!

But I can resort to condordances.

And if someone finally GOT OUT OF CHICAGO after 140 years -- I would say that's a blessing!

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Why do you think we moved away from there? and it didn't take us 140 years

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

Dear Penny,

Thanks for doing this. There are some really great folks on OPP who will welcome it and make good use of it. I have a problem with folks who are so dedicated to their beliefs that they cannot brook discussion of anything that puts those beliefs into question. I was raised Roman Catholic but had pretty much abandoned that church by age 16. I absolutely believe in God but not so much in religion as it's usually practiced. Thanks again for the site - I'm always open to learn and expect to visit often.

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

Well, sadly, the site has not taken off as I expected. The posting I left of Denzel Washington's speech to a graduating class is a real inspiration to any person of faith but for some reason no one has looked at it. Very few new posts in any of the topics; I check daily. Thanks for trying, Penny. Maybe it's just a matter of timing?