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4 people online in the last 60 minutes - 0 Canucks, 0 Canucks In Hiding and 4 Visiting Canucks. (Most ever was 233 at 09:22:13 Fri Sep 21 2007) |
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debbey  I'm Asleep  4646 posts    Mood Now:  
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Ok… CanadaBound
 First things first… we are not here to pass judgement… Being an Atheist is very acceptable in my mind… I would call myself the same except, I am believer in God… Being Atheist I look at as being kind of middle of the road Many Faiths cannot agree on anything… many agree, there is one God… and some believe in many Gods such as Bhuddism… this is why I say Atheisism is kind of middle of the road Faery and Wicca, I know little about… I started to read up on it and  Witchcraft, Black Magic, etc I don't buy into any of this… This is just my opinion, though… I believe there is a big difference between a Fairy and an Angel. Thank you for tolerating all of us! My path is neutral, Spirituality… soooo… Now, I am going to leave this topic with a favourite poem of mine… This is the poem that started me on my path to Spirituality… The first time I read it was in a card I received when my Dad died… It was very uplifting as my Dad died of a self inflicted gun shot wound  (suicide)You really go through the emotions after this sort of tragedy… Always, questioning yourself as to what could I have done differently to help my Dad… Well, eventually we find our path  and realize it's not our fault when loved ones choose to die… It took me 10 years to come to terms with this… only to spend 2 and half months sitting beside my Mom and feeling so helpless as she whittled away from Cancer. and then dieing was like Thank you! God for showing Mercy! My Mom didn't deserve to die this way! This is only 2 bouts of Tragedy that has racked my family There is more… My Mom and Dad were 2 people I loved very dearly… with all my heart sooo…Best To Everyone 
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debbey I'm Asleep 4646 posts Mood Now:
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FootprintsInTheSand.com
 One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.” Mary Stevenson  FootprintsInTheSand.com
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kierra I'm Asleep 460 posts  
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Awww, that is so nice, Debbey!
I guess I was raised nominally Christian… but religion never really was something I ever really gave much thought to. Spiritualism does sound nice… but just what is the difference between spiritualism and religion? Sorry if this question sounds dumb… but I really don't know much about either.Kierra
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debbey I'm Asleep 4646 posts Mood Now:
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Hi Kierra
My uncle Dr. Larry has his doctrine in religious studies… Dr Larry is a Pentacostal Minister. Dr Larry has always been my favourite uncle as he is only a few years older than I am so he was always like my older brother… I am really proud of him, he found his path and is a professor… Dr Larry when he had a parish delivers the most excellent sermons… And does Eulogies at my families funerals. What really is a minister? A messenger for God. Like you I have been very very moderate when it comes to religion. Never, really gave it much thought… til I landed in this forum… I just read what everyone writes… Some have really typed indepth well researched posts. LedZeppelinHarmony and I have been reading quite a bit at different sites, lately, together… We are online friends soooo… Spirituality, is non denominational, so it includes all 'Faiths'. Spirituality is the belief in God, Angels and Spirit Guides… Angels and Spirit Guides are God's Messengers. Every being has a Spirit Guide. This is how God communicates with you through Angels and Spirit Guides. You communicate with God through prayer or meditation. In Spirituality, there is no Heaven or Hell. Your spirit is what gives life to the body we have inhabitated. Spirit, I suppose is your Soul, although I don't think I have heard reference made to this. No Heaven or Hell? When our spirit is free of our bodies (when we die) generally speaking we go to 'The Other Side', this is like another dimension, I suppose. Some Spirits, don't make it to 'The Other Side' and are what many refer to as Ghosts. They are lost spirits, and haven't completed their mission or cycle. Like Pilate's Video, Alright, at first I didn't refer to the little fellow as a Ghost… More, a little lost Soul or a Spirit. This Spirit, I believe is in Transition, and was just freed from the physical being. He wasn't ready to leave his physical being and rewalks what brought him to this 'state'… I kind of thought of it maybe as a Father and Son… It could have been a Husband and Wife… The little spirit was strongly bonded with the driver of the car and didn't want to leave him behind… I am not sure what the conclusion is but if you listen to the words Todd is singing in the video, when I can't feel, I'm not Alright, when I can't heal, I'm not Alright he is really lost and wants to leave and go to 'The Other Side', I think the bond with a physical being has made him confused… I am sure his guide will come and help him and that's the other little spirit we see in the video. He is just not quite ready yet…  This is really, in a nutshell, what my interpretation of Spirituality is, It's all about our Love for God, and our physical being is a cycle or a mission we are fulfilling… Cheers!  
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jessiebabe I'm Asleep 1605 posts   
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I usually just start out with 'Hi, God!' or 'Hi, Jesus!' ~ depending on whom I'm talking to. It's very natural to me. I don't say 'amen' at the end. I usually make sure it's quiet in the room, and that I'm comfy. Then I just look at my chair, pretend that God or Jesus is sitting in that chair, and I start talking. It's hard to explain exactly what it's like. I would give that a try, though. Yeah, it may feel a little awkward at first, but you'll get used to it after awhile. God is not someone to be feared. He is someone who cares about all of us, and Jesus loves all of us. One day, Aunt Lucy was staying over, and she walked into my room (without knocking), and she had the audacity to scold me for 'talking to myself'. I was very mad at her for doing that. It is none of her damn business what I do in the privacy of my bedroom. It's not like I drinking whiskey, smoking pot, or making out with a guy in my bedroom. I was simply talking to God. She should have kept her nose to herself. Fortunately, my mom stood up for me. I've never liked Aunt Lucy that much.
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HighwayGirl  I'm Asleep 1697 posts   Mood Now: 
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Hey, that sounds so lovely, Jessie!
 I've been talking to God that way, myself. I'm not sure if I'd call it praying, but I just talk to Him if He was right in the room with me. Know what I mean. I actually find myself loving Jesus and God more, now - than I did before. Afterall, I no longer fear a vengeful God who basically says, 'Love me - or suffer for eternity.' I don't believe God is like that at all. It's just that some radical extremists have made God out to be a tyrant, rather than a loving Father.
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april_wino1  I'm Asleep 3245 posts  Mood Now: 
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Hey, thanks, guys!
 This is definitely something to think about.
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pyxi_styx I'm Asleep 3982 posts   Mood Now: 
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That sounds lovely, HighwayGirl. That's how I am, too. I actually find that I love God and Jesus more now, than back when I was a Conservative Christian. Afterall, it's pretty hard to love a vengeful being who would send you to hell if you didn't love Him. That's not how God is, though.
You know, it's pretty hard to force yourself to like something you just can't like, right. Like, for instance, I really cannot stomach liver - and opera really does grate on my ears. So, I really cannot force myself to like either liver or opera. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get myself to like either. Also, according to Conservative Christians, if you were to pretend that you loved God, just to avoid going to hell - well, that wouldn't work, because God can see what's on the heart. The good news is, though, what the Conservative Christians believe is not true. Throughout ages, man have twisted the words of the Bible around, and made them mean something that they never were meant to say. Even if you were to compare the Christians of the 1700s to the Christians of today, there is not much that they have in common. Anyway, I now see God for the Loving Father that He is, and not some vengeful deity would have people suffer just for not believing in Him. Peace out. 
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HighwayGirl I'm Asleep 1697 posts Mood Now:
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There seems to be two kinds of Conservative Christians. There are the ones who use their religion as an excuse to pass judgement onto other people, and as a tool to control other people. These are the ones who are the most vocal about their faith. Then there are the ones who are in it for the 'fire insurance'. They try to force themselves to love God, just to avoid going to hell - although many probably wouldn't admit it. In other words, they're afraid of God - but they don't want to admit. Then again, I suppose the former group are also subconsciously afraid of God.
Anyway, it's the Progressive Christians who sincerely love God - because they don't envision God as wrathful and one who would send unbelievers to hell. There are more Christian Universalists (they believe everyone eventually goes to heaven) and Christian Reincarnationists than it appears, though. You just have to know where to find them.
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TragicallyHipper  I'm Asleep 7322 posts  Mood Now: 
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Just talk to God in the same way as talk to anybody else. It's best to not have the music playing. I talk a nature walk the other day. You can really feel God's presence, when you are surrounded by His creation. It's almost winter, but I should try getting out a little more.
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jessiebabe I'm Asleep 1605 posts
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Oh, yeah, you've said it, TragicallyHipper!
 Yeah, I most definitely am a Christian ~ just not in the traditional way. I know what you mean about Christian Universalists and Christian Reincarnationists, HG. There are plenty of those around ~ but they just aren't considered a part of 'mainstream' Christianity. It seems as though, if you are not a Calvinist or an Arminianist ~ then you're not a Christian, according to the Fundies. What funny about this is, even denominations in the 'mainstream' Christianity group cannot agree on certain things. Yet, they all claim that their version of the 'truth' is correct. This is the nice thing about Progressive Christianity. People do not claim that their beliefs are the only truth, and they don't believe in eternal damnation for those who disagree. We Progressive Christians accept everyone.
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AprilWineChick  I'm Asleep 7847 posts  Mood Now: 
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Well, what exactly is praying? Praying is talking to God, right?
Yeah, it doesn't have to be real formal. Just talk to God in whatever way makes you feel comfortable. Just pretend that God is right there in the room with you. Well, actually it's not really pretending, since God is right there with us everywhere we go - but you get the idea. Yeah, it also wouldn't hurt to get out and enjoy nature. I think some Fundamentalist Christians have become real apatheic, when it comes to our environment. They figure that Jesus is coming back soon, so why should they worry about the environment. Don't you think God wants to care for our environment? Anyway, I thought nobody knew when Jesus was coming back - if this whole 'coming back' thing is even true. This whole Armageddon doctrine is not part of the Catholic creed. It's a doctrine that's exclusive to Fundamentalist Protestent Christians. So, to me, I think some people are living their lives in fear over nothing. 
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kierra I'm Asleep 460 posts
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I know some of you have commented on how you wish you could be a kid again… and I know some of the issues you guys deal with, like religion. I don't believe that it's right to indoctrinate children with religion. It's better just to raise them to be open-minded… and to decide on their own faith.
I have a few friends who were raised in Fundamentalist Christian families… and I can tell you, they really have been struggling. I mean, when you're raised being taught that you have to believe a certain way, or you'll suffer eternal torment… that can be very devastating. Fortunately, for me, I wasn't indoctrinated as a kid. We were nominally Christian… but, for the most part, I was allowed to find my own path. I guess I'm currently agnostic. I'm not sure if there's a God… but, if there was one, I'm sure it would not be the fundamentalist Christians' God. Kierra
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debbey I'm Asleep 4646 posts Mood Now:
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Wow, 'we' have all come a long way… Thank you!
I don't really know what Progressive Christianity is? this could be perhaps what I am… I am sure God is very proud of all you, his children… He really isn't someone whom you should fear… You are all now feeling His Love, it's such a warm feeling… Like sunshine on a grey dreary cold day… I can't really say I Pray as such… I have in the past said I am into deep thinking… especially when I go to the beach or in my boat… It's more meditation than it is thinking… My answers come from 'within'… mostly when I am sitting here typing to all of you. If I am struggling with something, my best is to sleep. I go into such a deep sleep, I don't remember most dreams… somehow, I wake up the next morning with a smile and start my day… my troubles don't seem so intense… I never ask for anything except guidance… and that's about it… Best to you All! Cheers!
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canadabound  I'm Asleep 1030 posts  
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That sounds so beautiful, Debbey!
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pyxi_styx I'm Asleep 3982 posts Mood Now:
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In all fairness, Christianity does seem to be the only religion that is bashed by the PC types - with the possible exception of Islam and Judaism. While it is true that Christianity is, by no means, being oppressed in North America - and are still the most dominent religion - it does seem to be the religion that is most often singled out for criticism by the PC types. While it may not be real oppression, words do still hurt. This is just a little something to consider.
Peace out.
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debbey I'm Asleep 4646 posts Mood Now:
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How many Rabbis did I greet today
 maybe 10 or 11 My first day… as I get to know the faces That's really all, I am at liberty to say right now Cheers!
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april_wino1 I'm Asleep 3245 posts Mood Now:
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Well, you sure do make a good point, Pyxi.
Although I do have some problems with the Christian religion, I don't think it's right to bash Christians. I'm sure most Christians really are sincere about their faith, and try to be nice to others. I think some of the evangelical types really don't realise how their pushiness looks to 'outsiders'. To them, it's a matter of not wanting anyone to burn in hell - so they believe they are doing you a favour by being pushy. They don't necessarily realise that you might find their pushiness to be annoying. Know what I mean?
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Tangerine_Plant  I'm Asleep 2441 posts  Mood Now: 
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There are a lot of religious people on the debate board, and quite a few are Fundamentalist Christians. Then we also have the moderate Christians and the liberal Christians. There's quite a few Wiccans and Pagans who post, as well. Then there are plenty of those who believe that some truth can be found in all religions. Religious bashing is not allowed, though - whether it's Christian bashing, Pagan bashing, or Atheist bashing. The moderators in that section are very open-minded, and try to find value in all religions, even atheism.
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TragicallyHipper I'm Asleep 7322 posts Mood Now:
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I don't think it's right to bash Christians, either. I can imagine it must be an awful feeling, to believe that some people will suffer eterally - so, as a result, that's why they get rather pushy about their faith. They think they're doing us a big favor, so they don't understanding why we find their pushiness to be annoying.
You know, I really don't know what I am, right now. I guess I'm spiritual but not religious. I do believe in God's existence - and I do believe that Jesus Christ did exist. I think some truth can be found in all religions.
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