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Post by GaratJax on Jun 21, 2005 16:10:40 GMT -5
After a number of years as a christian ive now come to the conclusion that its not answering my questions about life and the universe and is to unforgiving for my personal being.
So im after advice as to what might be a better way ?
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Iorweth
Braggart
[M:-300]
Posts: 108
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Post by Iorweth on Jun 21, 2005 17:18:33 GMT -5
The Bible states, that all your questions will be answered - the catch, you gotta die first!
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Post by GaratJax on Jun 21, 2005 23:48:46 GMT -5
Yeah but i would rather find out first, that whole dying thing just sucks  |
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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Jun 22, 2005 4:07:45 GMT -5
All kidding aside *glares at Iorweth* the first thing you seriously have to do is examine why your Christian faith has failed you. If you come to the conclusion that it can, in no way, satisfy your spiritual needs, then it's time to examine further options. Now not being a Christian does not necessarily mean you will be leaning towards a Pagan path.....you may find one of the other one god faiths suits your needs. However, it is possible to remain Christian, and yet embrace many of the old traditions, such as Celtic Christianity. If, however, you find the belief of multiple deities more to your liking, then it's a pagan path you may be on the road to. So now that you are more confused than when you asked your question for help, what do you do now? Research. Don't drown yourself in a pile of books, but be careful of all the misinformation posted on the internet. Who to trust? Well, when it comes to pagan paths, you know you can go to my site....I give clear and basic information without pushing one path over another. Then there is The Witches Voice, a well documented site that is highly recommended by any pagan with merit. For information on Christian faiths, pagan paths and more, I suggest: ReligiousTolerance.org or About.com 's religion and spirituality page. I hope this information helps you out, and you know you can speak with me about your quest any time.  |
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Post by GaratJax on Jun 22, 2005 14:16:53 GMT -5
Cheers Lady looking through you're site now as well as some other stuff  |
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Iorweth
Braggart
[M:-300]
Posts: 108
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Post by Iorweth on Jun 23, 2005 4:33:06 GMT -5
In all honesty. . . The problem with Catholicism (sp?) and Protestant (which I am) is that its too demanding and too restrictive, anything you do which is 'human' is regarded as sin, so you live your life in forgivenes. That isnt why man was put here, that Im sure of.
The thing is Garat, to be a Christian isnt the same meaning as being a Christian 40-50 years ago. Then you had to go to Church as it was the done thing, not only was it the source of prayer but the heart of community. What im trying to put across, which living in the UK im sure you are aware of, is that the basis of Christianity is the love in your neighbours and the respect for mankind - which I may add is somewhat wanting in this Country of late.
I myself have been put in many situations where I have questioned my faith, I have even renounced my faith on some occasions; but its those questions that instill my faith, after all if I didnt believe why would I be demanding answers?
Maybe its brushing with death, that brings you closer, I dont know. I do fully swear my allegiance to the Church of England but do respect the faiths of many. I have to admit from time to time I do sit back in my field and stare at the old Oak trees in awe and can understand why my ancestors worshiped mother nature.
Anyway, although I didnt answer any of your questions I think I answered some of my own!!! That was quite theraputic!!!!
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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Jun 28, 2005 3:20:01 GMT -5
Well said Iorweth, well said. |
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Post by GaratJax on Jun 28, 2005 13:53:30 GMT -5
Indeed. Im slowly working my way through different aspects, thinking and even...gasp...shock...horror meditating again to try and find my path (although the ritualistic ohmsss are starting to annoy my wife).
I seem to be leaning towards Buddhism, although there are some aspects that im still not comfortable with yet.
But the Wiccan path is also attractive to me.
I even looked at some of the more nefarious religions such as Satanism but i find them spiritually disturbed and without any true meaning.
oh well back to the lotus position...
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Post by Dragonsrule on Jun 30, 2005 16:39:47 GMT -5
This is a good question and one I love. I myself consider myself a Christian and did attend church regularly for a long time. I have not been to church services in over 2 years now. What I see is that "Organized Religion" can be more of a hindrance than a blessing. When I was younger alot of things were going wrong at one time and then my Father died when I was 14 I declared at that point, there was no GOD and became an Athiest and had no beliefs what so ever.
It was during that time in my life I discovered D&D and Fantasy writing. I did not become a Satanist or turn to any other religion but to this day I still read only Fantasy and play RPG all the time. When I rediscovered GOD 8 years later, it still took me awhile to even start attending church.
Over the years when I met my wife I started to go back to church and attended regularly for 12 years. I was no happier going to church than I was when not attending but my beliefs were still there. I started looking at "Religion" and going there are so many different churches teaching from the same Bible and all teaching it different and believing theres is the best way.
Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the same GOD but twist things around that now all they can do is preach about a "Holy War"
If GOD can be "the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" why can't he be the the Originator of Bhuddism, Hinduism etc. etc. Go and experiment the teachings of other religions but you can still have your Christian beliefs while doing it. If more people were to do this, maybe the world would become a better place.
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wiccy
Braggart
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. -Edgar Allan Poe-"
Posts: 85
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Post by wiccy on Oct 5, 2007 4:51:11 GMT -5
I myself have never found a "true calling" in any organized religion. I do find alot of pagans hating the christian religions right before "changing" religion or hating them due to the fact of the preaching while being pagan. I guess that might be why Lady Winter asked you to find out why your faith has not worked for you. Look within yourself first before looking elsewhere. Our body is a temple no matter what religion you are. Life is nothing but an ascension into a spiritual wholeness with the universe.
“We know that He dwell in us because he has given us of his Spirit.” - Bible 1John 13
“God dwelleth in all hearts” - Bhagavad Gita
“The One God is hidden in all living things” – the Upanishads (Hinduism)
“All animals have power because the Great Spirit dwells in all of them” - Lame Deer, Sioux Chief
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” - Jesus
“He to whom you pray is nearer than the neck of your camel.” – Muhammad
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Dmitri
Land Owner
D&D Geeks of the World Unite!
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Dmitri on Oct 5, 2007 5:54:46 GMT -5
Holy resurrected dead thread, Batman! Hey, greetings! I like the quotes, BTW...
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Post by grond on Oct 5, 2007 13:59:24 GMT -5
Jumping jimminy jilickers I thought I was the only one who disturbed the rest of abandoned threads such as these!.
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Post by Kaber on Oct 5, 2007 14:45:03 GMT -5
I have found in my searches that many nature paths have more in common with what I believe to be true christianity than what is preached in the churches today.
Very good quotes wiccy.
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Post by Lady Winter Wolf on Oct 5, 2007 19:18:26 GMT -5
Just a reminder, since this did happen recently here...please do not turn this topic into a "my religion is better than your religion" debate. The posts will only get deleted, and you'll have wasted your time with the preaching...plus it might just earn you a temporary ban from the site if you get too insulting or aggressive.
We like to believe that everyone is entitled to believe in whatever faith or path they wish to believe in...period...and we don't give too much credence to "but there can only be one true religion"...bs, plain and simple.
Discussion is good....Preaching is bad.
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Dmitri
Land Owner
D&D Geeks of the World Unite!
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Dmitri on Oct 6, 2007 7:48:51 GMT -5
Just a reminder, since this did happen recently here...please do not turn this topic into a "my religion is better than your religion" debate. The posts will only get deleted, and you'll have wasted your time with the preaching...plus it might just earn you a temporary ban from the site if you get too insulting or aggressive. We like to believe that everyone is entitled to believe in whatever faith or path they wish to believe in...period...and we don't give too much credence to "but there can only be one true religion"...bs, plain and simple. Discussion is good....Preaching is bad. OK, here goes nothing... Perhaps it is better to seek truth, rather than seeking what makes us feel good? I highly recommend the Allegory of the Cave at the beginning of Book VII of Plato's Republic as excellent reading for all - and please note, this text is not written by a Christian, so if there is any intolerence here, it coming from a Greek, well before the birth of Christ. Anyway, it's just an idea - seek Truth rather than comfort... see my CS Lewis quote in the quotes sub-board for another example. |
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