The Official Religious/Political Debate Thread (cover, show, quote, guitar)

[dog]

listen to anything bill hicks had to say about religion, - i agree with all of it.

[K-Gi]

Originally Posted by jr.

Ok, I suppose I will add my two cents.

I'm older than most in this forum, and I have spent, easily, 20 years or better, searching for that 'something' that makes me feel as though I am living my life right. I begrudge no one their religious beliefs, and in my opinion, everyone has a right to be happy and fufilled, on the inside.

That being said, after years of searching, I have finally come to these conclusions:

All religious sects are man-made interpretations of the Bible. I'm not knocking it, simply stating that Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc., each have their own belief system, based on that one book. Whether it's good or bad, right or wrong, isn't for anyone to say.

The problem I have with that, though, is, the fear factor of relious beliefs. Each religion basically says, "Here is our way, if you don't live your life within the parameters of this system, you won't get into Heaven." I know most everyone says religion is about faith, but I wonder if people are so wrapped up in keeping their faith strong, that they fail to realize they're actually catering to the fears instilled in them as well. An underlying type of being bullied into living a certain way, or else.

My only other problem with religion, is the severe intolerance. "Your religion is wrong, and you're going to burn in Hell." I don't know what gives one person the right to tell another they're living their life wrong.

I will never dump on anyone because their faith, whatever it may be. All any person who follows a certain religion is doing is, ultimately, trying to be a better person, and there's nothing wrong with that. They want peace. Peace in their life, and peace in their heart.

Are there people who use religion corruptly? Absolutely. Religion, politics, heck, the local grocery chain, all have people who abuse their position. If you worry about that, you'll never attain your inner peace, because you will be letting others' actions taint your quest.

Now, getting to the gist of it, I have, in the last three years or so, found a modicum of peace through the Buddhist way of life. I am not a Buddhist, but I do believe a lot of what they say. Their belief is your soul is eternal, moving from one living being, to another, for all eternity. Now, I don't know if I so much believe that, but I do believe in Karma. The circle of life. If you are good, in your heart, and treat others with respect, and are tolerant, and respect others' choices, even if you don't necessarily believe then yourself, you will receive the same in return.

What I find most appealing about Buddhism, is the fact that they don't say "live like this". Their way is,"Here are the tools you need for inner peace. Find your path." They give you some ways of thinking, and what you do with it is your own choice.

Anyway, I have rambled long enough.

Thank you - I can only agree and could not have said it better.

[DontRunMeOver]

Originally Posted by K-Gi

I'm older than most in this forum, and I have spent, easily, 20 years or better, searching for that 'something' that makes me feel as though I am living my life right.

That is a LONG time to be searching for something. I've got to say that I agree with you about Karma, there are too many example I've seen of it happening to ignore.

[K-Gi]

Originally Posted by Ginny

Well then I will use another metaphor. Sometimes my parents know what I really want sometimes because I talk about it a lot. But they won't get the thing I want for me until I ask for it. It's an unselfish way to show humility and that they are more superior than you because you obviously can't get it and give it to yourself.

God knows if we want forgiveness. But you have to show humility and ask for his help. If not we would be selfish.

In several posts you talk about forgiveness. Please elaborate on forgiveness for what.

[jr.]

Originally Posted by DontRunMeOver

That is a LONG time to be searching for something. I've got to say that I agree with you about Karma, there are too many example I've seen of it happening to ignore.

Yes, 20 years is a long time. I feel kind of silly now, after all this time, discovering everything I needed was within me the entire time. It is gratifying to make progress in an area where you have felt a lacking for so long, be it religion, or learning to play guitar, or whatever. When you finally have that moment of clarity, that breakthrough, when things seem to make sense, it's a relief that you weren't wasting your time. That it was worth it.

All I can say, to the people who have contributed to this thread, or to anyone who is, in fact, seeking some sort of spiritual awareness, that it is there. No matter what your religious belief, you have the ability to find your way, right inside you. Corny sounding, yes, but the truth.

[jibber]

Originally Posted by jr.

Yes, 20 years is a long time. I feel kind of silly now, after all this time, discovering everything I needed was within me the entire time. It is gratifying to make progress in an area where you have felt a lacking for so long, be it religion, or learning to play guitar, or whatever. When you finally have that moment of clarity, that breakthrough, when things seem to make sense, it's a relief that you weren't wasting your time. That it was worth it.

All I can say, to the people who have contributed to this thread, or to anyone who is, in fact, seeking some sort of spiritual awareness, that it is there. No matter what your religious belief, you have the ability to find your way, right inside you. Corny sounding, yes, but the truth.

see, the thing with me is, i don't have any desire to find some form of spiritual awareness. I don't consider anything after this lifetime to be of any importance whatsoever. I dont contemplate why I'm here, or how I got here, I just know that I am, and I have one lifetime to make the most of it, and that's it. All I need in life is to know what I want to do with my life, what i'm passionate about, and go for it.

[Merkaba]

Go with the flow


as they say

[jr.]

Originally Posted by jibber

see, the thing with me is, i don't have any desire to find some form of spiritual awareness. I don't consider anything after this lifetime to be of any importance whatsoever. I dont contemplate why I'm here, or how I got here, I just know that I am, and I have one lifetime to make the most of it, and that's it. All I need in life is to know what I want to do with my life, what i'm passionate about, and go for it.

Sounds as if you have peace.

[DontRunMeOver]

Originally Posted by jibber

see, the thing with me is, i don't have any desire to find some form of spiritual awareness. I don't consider anything after this lifetime to be of any importance whatsoever. I dont contemplate why I'm here, or how I got here, I just know that I am, and I have one lifetime to make the most of it, and that's it. All I need in life is to know what I want to do with my life, what i'm passionate about, and go for it.

That's a great attitude. No nancying about, gazing at your shoes and wondering what's happening and what it all 'means'. Just get on with it!

[adidasss]

i think it's a pretty mindless attitude, every human being starts wondering why they're here at a certain point in their life ....