As I have said, the spiritual journey is a personal one where as religion requires numbers to sustain. This picture about sums up what the spiritual journey is all about:
If only God had thought of that concept, .... what's that you say, God did think of that?Life's purpose is to enjoy it while you have it, I'll agree. Same for the unknown. I even enjoy that part cuz it's a challenge sometimes. If you quit experiencing new stuff and learning from life, you might as well lay down and bury yourself cuz you're dead.
And constantly fretting about what's ahead makes you miss some of what's around you so might as well enjoy life now and fret about hell n heaven when you get there.I don't think there's anything past this, so I'm determined to enjoy this bit to the max without religion.
Some peoples spiritual journey does embrace religion, but I have met very few who have. Most just parrot biblical passages and dogma someone else fed them. Very few actually live their lives according to their beliefs. They are too busy trying to recruit others to justify their beliefs thinking their is security in numbers.
Those who are on their journey don't look for support. I have a lot of friends who know it is personal, and although they may have different experiences they support each other on their personal journey. They don't have to agree, but that is what friends are for.
The OT wasn't found in any home and none of the writers of the NT (except Saul) had any duties that would have them be the equal of Priests in the temple.
There doesn't have to be. To me it is more of a personal take on things, like honouring another's path rather than judging them like some religious folk like to do. Many religious people know that the purpose is to become what you believe, not convert others and tell the rest they are wrong. It is the noisy, in your face types that give religion a bad rap.
You know what is in the bible. but you know very little about how, when or where and by whom it was put together. Like most people, you filter all information through your bias and prejudices, and refuse to look at anything that would call your beliefs into question.
Really, should I take the 'many scholars' view that the Gospels weren't written until well after 70AD when Luke:21:12-24 is about events that would happen before 70AD?
No, that isn't the way it works. If you don't understand the book then a time will come where it will be gently explained to you through 'proof via works'. Come talk to me after that happens and we'll see if you have the same opinion then. In the meantime enjoy the meantime.
Especially just after the cross whem he was naked in the boat when he was trying to seduce the Beloved Disciple (Mary of Bethany) I'm pretty sure that event was why Peter insisted he be hung upside down.
