Good evening gerryh. I was brought up catholic so I know a little bit about that institution. I have also spent most of my adult life studying comparative religions and philosophies, so I do know something about that. Any yes, I have a lot of strong opinions about the subject, some of them almost as strong as your own, though I doubt we would agree much on the subject. None the less, I do respect your right to believe what you want but I was hoping that you would at least have a counter argument to the views expressed. Please take into consideration, the those views that I express are only my opinion and in no way reflect upon your belief system, just mine. I am open to be proven wrong.A prime example of 3 men that don't have a clue what they are talking about.
Good evening gerryh. I was brought up catholic so I know a little bit about that institution. I have also spent most of my adult life studying comparative religions and philosophies, so I do know something about that. Any yes, I have a lot of strong opinions about the subject, some of them almost as strong as your own, though I doubt we would agree much on the subject. None the less, I do respect your right to believe what you want but I was hoping that you would at least have a counter argument to the views expressed. Please take into consideration, the those views that I express are only my opinion and in no way reflect upon your belief system, just mine. I am open to be proven wrong.
For the same reason, you can't prove God's non-existance. Therefore atheists have to believe there is no god. Atheism is a belief based system.
In your opinion, that there is no God, may be beyond a reasonable doubt. Human beings have a primitive understanding of the Universe. God could be a reasonable approximation of the truth about the nature of the universe and its creation and you can't prove I'm wrong...
Sorry.... been through these threads and have already seen what you and your buddies do when it comes to discussion, as a matter of fact, my comments above are right in line with how you guys "discuss" things in the spirituality threads when it comes to Christianity, Islam, and Catholicism in particular.
DB, believe it or not, for anyone on here who actually knows me, this statement is quite funny. No - I won't explain it, but, it's still quite funny.Wasp Climatoligist or Black Hole Relativist and only if I could be a marrying bishop or pope.
DB, believe it or not, for anyone on here who actually knows me, this statement is quite funny. No - I won't explain it, but, it's still quite funny.
DB, believe it or not, for anyone on here who actually knows me, this statement is quite funny. No - I won't explain it, but, it's still quite funny.
The aboriginal people believe in an anthropomorphous creator but they alsobelieve the Earth is our mother, that she is the origin of life and the provider of all they need. In that way they view her as a goddess and cohort of the Creator as symbolized by the sun.They also recognized the influence of the moon on the cycles of life, referring to her as Grandmother Moon. So although they believed in the one creator, they also had lesser deities.
They also believed in the power of animal and plant spirits to help them navigate through life. Every animal has a set of characteristics that correspond to various human traits and virtues. Thus a bear represent inner strength, coyote is cunning, deer is beauty and innocence, wolf is wisdom, etc. Animals can help a person know themselves better and help through trying times.
I don't think your understanding is different than mine but you may not have delved into it to the extent that I have.
You are right about the beliefs of the aboriginals. Pretty hard to go into any detail here.Not all aboriginals had the same beliefs, nor did they all behave civil or humanely. They were as diverse then as we all are now. Our beliefs may not differ that much but I still belive in one Creator who has dominion over "His" creations and delgates dominion in a descending order, (and yes, through spirits or angels), where we as humans, are the lowest order of sentient beings. Just as in the bible there are interpretations, though only through spirituality comes the realisation of what is right and just.
You and I may not be that far apart, but it seems you trust more in what the eye can see than what the heart can feel.
I lived with a Rosicrucian for twelve years. I learned a lot form her. Then one day, out of the blue, her parents, who were high up in the order, became Born Again Christians. My partner was soon converted too and I was deemed to a minion of satan because of my involvement with native spirituality. Thus I lost my wife and child to the lunatic fringe. That is why I think dogma is so dangerous.I would have picked Rosicrucianism.
And you would know what they are talking about? roflmaoA prime example of 3 men that don't have a clue what they are talking about.
And you would know what they are talking about? roflmao
A prime example of 3 men that don't have a clue what they are talking about.
*shrugs* You're entitled to your opinion.None of the statements that I quoted are true.
But never gives his reasons why*shrugs* You're entitled to your opinion.
At that stage of my life, I wouldn't have been qualified to select anything:smile:,but if it was 6 years old or so..probably would have selected the Jewish faith for its history and ceremonies.
*shrugs* You're entitled to your opinion.
So you are saying that only Christians work to better themselves? There aren't any that just do whatever they like and then head for the confessional only to do what they want the next day? Cool. I haven't seen halos bobbing around over anyone's head, though.