This aint a Christian Forum! Really, what are your beliefs?

[Norval]

What are your points of view about Spirituality, New Age, Pagan, Wiccan, and so on. :drool:

[Heretic]

attempts to touch the divine

towers of babel all

[Norval]

That is a profound statement there Heretic. I doubt I could have said it any better. When I look
up at the stars, which is far less than I used to do when I lived away from a city, the volume of
real estate just boggles my mind. Divine?, well, I just want to know the truth of who did what and
when, and why, , lol

[Swami Salami]

Well Believes......hhhmmmmm. I don't believe to much, its mostly poison that creates fear. I think/feel there is a creator, a higher spiritual world that created/made the planet we live on. Its intention must have been (is) good but it got ****ed up (again) along the way.

[Gary]

It's all thousands of years diluted, and the original message somewhat distorted, we will get to know in time, that will be some history lesson!

[Gale]

I want my Intergalactic Library Card!! :drool5:

[Heretic]

well, I just want to know the truth of who did what and
when, and why, , lol

Thank you for the kind words sir, and according to this we walk the same path....I just wanna know. A driving need to know, and I feel answers are coming.


I don't believe to much, its mostly poison that creates fear.

Amen to that.


It's all thousands of years diluted, and the original message somewhat distorted, we will get to know in time, that will be some history lesson!

You are so right.

Judge a person by their questions, rather than their answers. ~ Voltaire


I want my Intergalactic Library Card!! :drool5:

AND my portable encyclopedia galactica

[Norval]

Ahhh yes, the intergalactica encyclopedia, YES ! ! ! now THAT is my kind of reading material.

The closest thing I have to that now is the bible, or Document from ET, and that is mind expanding material when read in that context with out the religious :bsflag:

[Terran]

I have never been attracted to organized religion. For a period in my late teens through early adulthood spirituality was about sorting out my own 'I am-ness' from who I was led to think was 'me' as a result of a lifetime of socialization.

There was both good and bad in the instructions and messages I received growing up, and much of what I received as education from my family, teachers, and the culture at large simply did not fit. Spiritual work helped me sort through that.

To me, spiritual practice is simply to be in the essence part of my being as much as I can. When I am living from essense, I do not need to seek outside of myself for meaning or validation. For instance, when something I read or hear resonates with me as being true - that is a confirmation - but it must in the first place ring true in my heart and in my being for that recognition to take place.

So while I am a seeker, I also know that there is a part of my own being that already knows what my thinking brain needs to catch up to, as paradoxical as that may sound.

[Marcus Black]

I think organized religion is more or less a cancer, in that it can be benign or malignant. I don't particularly mind Buddhism or Shinto though. It's all a very confusing subject, and my views are caught up in how I was raised (non religious, but went to a catholic school 7-10th grade) and how I handled my spiritual life once I entered public schools again.

I don't know. I'm Part Buddhist, part heretic, part cultist. At odd times I find myself called to praise Yog-Sothoth and offer him my soul. I guess I read to much H.P. Lovecraft as a teenager. I believe strongly in the divinity of triplicates, and that the Sun, Earth and Moon are the only 'real' deities to exist in our 'reality.'

I believe in the concepts of New Souls and Old Souls, but also believe in the Immortal Soul. I've developed a stoners philosophy around these 3 souls, but it is a stoners philosophy, and really only makes sense when you're baked. I've been trying to reconcile it with normal thought though, as I don't smoke anymore but still quite like theory, which I call the Battery Theory.

[Heretic]

Well as you can gather from my choice of "Internet Aliases", you can tell I have issues with the oppressive side of religious ideologies. Yet I cannot help but to feel that religion does have it's place in the many paths towards spiritual development, even enlightenment.

Opinionating over issues of morality is a healthy thing because questions are healthy and it is only the answers that have caused the blights on religion. Some of those answers are also very liberating and beautiful.

:grouphug: People coming together to discuss scripture, pool their money and help the community a little and expand that parking lot for more money to help even more people is down right awesome. But it is also a breeding ground for many nefarious agendas and cover, even protection for some really bad people.

I cant help but to ponder the possibility that had there never been religion, something else would have been created to take its place and that religion in itself isn't really the cause. And I wonder if it was picked intentionally for its importance even as it serves as a control mechanism in so many other areas too. I put myself in the shoes of the :reddevil: and it was only logical to trash religion, and depending on my agenda perhaps even necessary.

Religion for some is a celebration of the answers found, and for others an experience where their first questions are formed. It is hardy organized though, everyone in the world basically has a unique opinion on the subject and the scholars can barely agree on the core questions unless they are forced to according to the agenda of the intelectual bully.

It is a mess. The new chaos in which a new order is always being formed. Its the megaphone of God shouting what few can understand, and none can agree on. So every complaint about it is a justified one, and all allegations against it are held to be self evident. Yet still, we seem to need it for now. :banghead:

[Bobbi]

Throughout the years I have come to appreciate the wisdom, wit and common sense of reality as set forth by 'Lazarus Long', one of my most favorite fictional characters. The author who created this wonderful individual was Robert Heinlein. In his book, Time Enough For Love, he sets forth two chapters entitled "The Notebooks of Lazarus Long". The one that struck me the hardest and which I have based my attitudes upon is this one -

"History does not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis. Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help. But, like dandruff, most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it."

For those of you who have never heard of Lazarus Long or read any or all of Mr. Heinlein's work (I have them all!) here's a link to the 'Notebooks of Lazarus Long'. I do hope you enjoy them as much as I have over the years. http://home.austin.rr.com/linkages/LONG.HTM

Edit: This link is no longer available, please see post #38 by Fred for a working link. Sorry!

[unipax]

Pursuit of unvarnished truth and knowledge is #1 IMHO

Afterlife? Well, I wonder about whether or not reincarnation happens. I think that it could be so, but not 'mandatory' ie free will = other choices.

I like the idea of the Document instead of the Bible. Simple re-wording can raise / lower consciousness in conversations.

[Zenbuoy]

WHATT????
I joined to be SAVED!!

I need to be healed!

I thought all my sins would be wiped away!:bananen_smilies015:

I want to believe in something other than myself!


I need to follow someone else's plan for me!


I want to be a sheep.:pool:

[Zenbuoy]

I mean, seriously, it is beyond me how the human mind can accept that one of these organized clubs can Crusade to kill, hide rampant and condoned Pedophilia, etc........

And then, what is this picture about?:bananen_smilies079:


Go to church or you are a "sinner."

Remarkable.

[Gale]

This same organized club took the bones of St Stephen (I think that was his name) and spread them among their different churches, a leg bone here etc. There would be reasons for that too, remember the dead body thrown in on top of Elisha’s body and that dead person came back to life.
That same organized club has a shawl they bring out once a year; they touch this shawl and claim all their sins from the previous year are forgiven, so they can do whatever they want during the year so long as they get to that shawl when it comes out. Go figure!

PS. I wonder if that skull is St Stephen's?

[Gary]

I mean, seriously, it is beyond me how the human mind can accept that one of these organized clubs can Crusade to kill, hide rampant and condoned Pedophilia, etc........

And then, what is this picture about?:bananen_smilies079:


Go to church or you are a "sinner."

Remarkable.

Hey buddy!
I have read, or, I have been told, I can't remember, confession was just a way of gathering inteligence from the people, on a world wide scale! A sort of early version of Google. hahahahaha!:bananen_smilies015:

[Norval]

, , , ahhh yes, the "Confessional", best religious "CIA" going.

[Dragon]

[Norval]

I have to admit, as they believe, Dragon, that is a damn good rendition.

[Zenbuoy]

:angel:If it were
then this is what it would look like (http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?p=996248#post996248)Scroll to top

HOWWZAT for a title, huh?:bananen_smilies018:

[Norval]

Rapture Ready?

So many beliefs, and all out of one book and peoples' ideas that don't bother to even read it.

[Terran]

Are you unable to think for yourself? Will you believe anything as long as lots of other people believe it too?...

Funny send up on Religion:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ca861703b8/religion-from-danny

[zorgon]

I thought all my sins would be wiped away!

For THAT you would need to hire a good hacker... one that can get your records and expunge them...

May I recommend Gary McKinnon?


The only good banana smiley

ROAD KILL BANANA

[Zenbuoy]

The only good banana smiley

ROAD KILL BANANA



Click for Poetic Tribute
:cheers2:

[zorgon]

Rapture Ready?

So many beliefs, and all out of one book and peoples' ideas that don't bother to even read it.

If God was real why do we need a Book to read about it? Couldn't he just have pre programed the data into us?

:devil2:

[Zenbuoy]

If God was real why do we need a Book to read about it? Couldn't he just have pre programed the data into us? *
:devil2:

:hail:

*sagacious |səˈgā sh əs|
adjective
having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd :
ex.1 -They were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation.
ex.2 - The man wore shoes which belied a sagacious, manly choice.:angel:



ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin sagax, sagac- ‘wise’ + -ious .

:Angel_anim:

[Norval]

If God was real why do we need a Book to read about it? Couldn't he just have pre programed the data into us? :devil2:

In mankind there is very little preprogramming, "instinct" it is called in lesser life forms, but we still have some. I personally like my "free will" to learn and apply what I learn as I want to. :bananen_smilies015: I'm just a babe crawling along, , :lol:

[whitecrow]

Great thread! As for me, I don't have a name for "my" religion, and I am a spirit-oriented person. I spent many years a Christian, explored many denoms. I was a Quaker for a long time. I spent a decade in a church that's in all the cult books - Foundation Faith Of God - and found them to be the best example of corporate Christianity I've come across. Like all insular groups though, they had their weird side.

I studied the Bahá'i Faith for years and eventually joined. I'm still officially Bahá'i but have been inactive now for years. My problem with the Bahá'is is the same as with the Quakers: they don't actually DO anything besides get together and eat. Nevertheless I like the Bahá'i revelation; it's the human, administrative arm that is totally messed up.

I think religion is a natural human condition. It's wired into us to wonder about things, and many of the deepest questions are what we call religious. But organized religion is a mind-control tool. I've known some Christians who can step outside their dogma enough to have great conversations about the big questions, but they are few and far-between. Those of you who are also at AV may have read the mini flamewar I allowed myself to be drawn into with their resident fundamentalist...Gawd, I should've known better! I'd hoped she might be someone who could have those conversations, but she ain't.

I guess I'm a syncretist. I'm part Christian, part Buddhist, part pagan...in reality a good Bahá'i except for my inability to be passive. One thing that has made it difficult for me to claim any standard religion is a lifetime of psychic experiences that many would call demonic. They are nothing of the sort. I've learned that the parameters of our perceptions are light-years beyond what most folks think, and I have yet to find anything unbiblical about this.

I can't stand Bible-thumpers. They need to stop thumping and start reading. Very few Christians have actually read the book. They read and study snippets and ignore the context. I really think the majority of them lie when they say they've read it.

My cosmic view is perfectly capable of including ETs of all kinds, but the evidence I've seen is all circumstantial. It takes a lot to convince me. I see the cosmos as an energy field that is both sentient and loving. I believe many dimensional realities overlie one another, sort of the way many channels can be received on the same radio and occasionally bleed into one another.

The post about symbolically eating the flesh of a cosmic Jewish zombie is priceless.

Most of all I am driven to wonder, to seek answers, and to adore what I've found. I do believe there is a great deal of prophecy as well, both in and out of the Bible, that merits study.

Kudos to Zorgon for being able to discuss this without dogma. I've learned it's a rare gift to be able to do that.

[Layla]

Hi Everyone

Some interesting points have been made here.

For me when looking at what's out there, is how do we find the truth amongst a market place of beliefs, traditions, new age school and countless spiritual speakers? Do we just discount the possibility of true spirituality and divine force merely because there are so many different approaches or do we seek to find the truth?

How does someone find the truth today? What does it take?

Layla

[Layla]

Hi Whitecrow

You've brought up some interesting points, especially about religion and being able to converse on some of the bigger questions of life without being dogmatic. Its a shame what religion has come to mean these days, and how far it has come from its original meaning to reunite with the Divine.


Layla

[Gary]

In mankind there is very little preprogramming, "instinct" it is called in lesser life forms, but we still have some. I personally like my "free will" to learn and apply what I learn as I want to. :bananen_smilies015: I'm just a babe crawling along, , :lol:

Well we have had a kind of pre programming and we all have it, sin!

Passed down through the generations from Eve, apparantly each generation three time worse than the last, so you can imagine why the word is a little messed up.

[Layla]

I know what you mean Gary!

These sins (anger, envy, gluttony, greed, laziness, lust, and pride) are part of a programming within us, and you can see that by how we react with these things in an 'uncontrollable way'. If we try simply not to act that way, we find that it happens anyway in our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I see this programming within me and how by acting through them how many problems they bring into my own life let alone the world.

And from life time to life time, if we don't overcome them, they grow, get stronger and become worse... so yes I "can imagine why the world is a little messed up."

Thanks for sharing your insights!


Layla

[Layla]

Hi Everyone

Some interesting points have been made here.

For me when looking at what's out there, is how do we find the truth amongst a market place of beliefs, traditions, new age school and countless spiritual speakers? Do we just discount the possibility of true spirituality and divine force merely because there are so many different approaches or do we seek to find the truth?

How does someone find the truth today? What does it take?

Layla
By the way, there's a really good video on You Tube about this called Finding Spiritual Truth today:

[Norval]

Me? Well, I put "spiritual" right in with "religion", seems there is more so called spiritual ideas than religious ones to think about, , , , all a distraction from the reality, into a philosophy. :bananen_smilies015:

[Layla]

Yes, I know what you mean Norval, many ideas out there! But when you have an experience then that's a whole different thing. Reality or daily life starts to take on a whole new meaning and direction.

The thing with spiritual experience is that science doesn't have a way to prove/disprove it, because its an internal science and it doesn't have the means to do it, however as it is an internal science it does mean that people, if interested, can investigate it and verify it for themselves. Here's a good article on science going about proving Out-of body and near death experiences. http://www.belzebuub.com/studyofndes

Layla :)

[whitecrow]

The thing with spiritual experience is that science doesn't have a way to prove/disprove it, because its an internal science and it doesn't have the means to do it, however as it is an internal science it does mean that people, if interested, can investigate it and verify it for themselves.
Yes, that's a very valid observation. There are pitfalls all over of course...because individual experience is subjective, you have to be VERY sure of yourself to conclude that what you're experiencing is true. Jesus is the only spiritual avatar I know of who offered both objective and subjective proof of who he was...he claimed the prophets as proof, but also he said (and I'm paraphrasing because I'm too lazy to go look up the passage): "Anyone who chooses to live the way I suggest will know within himself whether or not I am who I say I am." (John 7:17)

So I think we need to seek both the subjective and the objective proof. I believe what I do because it's the way my spirit is drawn, but also because it works for me. And always, always, I have to check myself, examine my ideas, look for corroboration, and look to both the present and the past.

This is work, as it should be. Steeplehouses give easy solutions, whether they come in the form of words from the pulpit or peer pressure. Politics gives easy answers. I think you know you're on the right track when you feel peace within, and when the ideas you can verbalize resonate within yourself and when others are drawn to you. This isn't charisma, although that can be part of it. When you have that inner assurance people can sense it. It also isn't self-righteousness or arrogance. It isn't about being right when everyone else is wrong. It's just a knowing that you're on the right path, along with the honesty to realize you can always do better and be better.

It may not be easy but it is simple. The best word for it, I think, is integrity.

[₣яэđĸĊ]

Bobbi -

Yer Lazarus Long link didn't pan out. No less than 3 ravenous pit bulls are eye-ing your car's tires, hungrily, as you read this. Meanwhile...

http://www.bobgod.com/lazaruslong.html
:D

[Norval]

Yes, I know what you mean Norval, many ideas out there! But when you have an experience then that's a whole different thing. Reality or daily life starts to take on a whole new meaning and direction.

The thing with spiritual experience is that science doesn't have a way to prove/disprove it, because its an internal science and it doesn't have the means to do it, however as it is an internal science it does mean that people, if interested, can investigate it and verify it for themselves. Layla :)

"Spiritual experiences", or what some people call them, would take me three books to write them out. Volume 1 would be from 5 to 20 years of age and would offer my thoughts about what all happened to, through, and with me. Volume 2 would be from 20 to 45 and would encompass the documents (bibles) explanation of what was going on in my life and those around me. Now then, Volume 3, from 45 to present day (58) would be "a whole new meaning" as now I was learning the "HOW" these things occurred and were possible. Or, in other words, the science behind so called "miracles" and "spiritual" events.

Science does have methods today to detect, measure, and explain many of those so called spiritual moments. :)

[Bobbi]

Thank you Fred - It worked when I first posted it, but it appears that the owner has changed sites since that time. Your link, however, works fine - thanks again.

[Zenbuoy]

Click pic



... A HEALED! ellipse

[Norval]

Yikes, Holy bat bullets and grenades, , , now that's salvation at it's finest, , , Kill em all and let the gods sort em out, , ,

[Zenbuoy]

But first....Televangelists Without Toupees (http://televangelistswithtoupees.blogspot.com/)

A List of Christian evangelist scandals


Contents (\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_evangelist_scandals\")
1 List of Christian Evangelists
1.1 Aimee Semple McPherson, 1920s–40s
1.2 Lonnie Frisbee, 1970s–1980s
1.3 Billy James Hargis, early 1970s
1.4 Oral Roberts, 1977 and 1986
1.5 Jim & Tammy Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, 1986 and 1991
1.6 Peter Popoff, 1987
1.7 Mike Warnke, 1991
1.8 Robert Tilton, 1991
1.9 Frank Houston, 2000
1.10 John Paulk, 2000
1.11 Paul Crouch, 2004
1.12 Douglas Goodman, 2004
1.13 Kent Hovind, 2006
1.14 Ted Haggard, 2006-
1.15 Paul Barnes, 2006
1.16 Lonnie Latham, 2006
1.17 Richard Roberts, 2007
1.18 Bishop Earl Paulk, 2007
1.19 Coy Privette, 2007
1.20 Phil Driscoll, 2007
1.21 Joe Barron, 2008
1.22 Todd Bentley, 2008
1.23 Tony Alamo, 2008






The Televangelists' Hall of Shame! (http://home.earthlink.net/~19ranger57/halosham.htm)

So, in the spirit of NO CLASS and a representation of what opinion exits on the subject we have...

[Gale]

Oh Zen, you just went way over the top on that Mrs Farting Preacher...such antics... :rolllaugh:
:shit: :barb:

[corleone]

:iagree::rockon::hail:.......................

[Norval]

You see and hear these assholes spewing their shit (and farts :lol:) all over the web and TV. I just can't imagine that anyone takes them seriously and yet they make bundles of money. With the view I and others have about the bible being the very Document from the good ETs, what the Fing hell are these fanatics doing?

OK, so I may be a "fanatic", about what has been discovered, by some, at least there is some pretty convincing data to back us up. While I may have been more of a "religious / spiritual" believer in my early years, this has given way to a much more physical reality in which that Document takes on a whole new perspective in looking at the universe around us. With our present understanding of technology, we can easily accept those ancient writings as proof positive we are not alone.

Thus UFOs, USpaceOs, reports of beings that are not human, all down through the ages, can be understood by reading around the "religiosity" of the bible for what they really are. IN GOD WE TRUST it reads on all US money, time will tell the truth of that. And, that time is about up from what I see in the world and can now comprehend.

Just sharing :)

[unipax]

We live in very interesting times indeed.

[Layla]

Norval, 58 years is still young... so I'm sure there's more volumes to come ;)

Intersting times, but more so sorrowful times for humanity and as things worsen, then so will our sorrowful, and somewhat abysmal state as a humanity. Its not possible to change others and it never has been, the only change we can experience is within. As Ghandi once said, Be the Change that you want the World To Be.

[Norval]

Yes, these are very interesting times we live in, yet I fail to see these as "sorrowful times" for humanity. It is now that ones with good hearts will shine through amongst those that won't make it as "good neighbors", this is humanity's greatest moment I think. Those that will not accept the "change" about to come upon humanity will be of little concern soon. Yet we are all entitled to our "beliefs" about what is coming and why based on what we have learned.

[Layla]

Thanks for the link to Bobbi's post, it was great to read her experiences.

I can see that in my own life that this is the school of life, and we are taught and tested to see how we are going. It is like an experiment to see if like a seed will we sprout goodness and become a spiritual divine being or whether we will not. Not everyone seeks this but nevertheless we are all in the school of life. How we learn is down to us.

I have seen how learning through the hard knocks of life has come when I have not recognise my mistakes instead made excuses or blamed others and continued to allow the harmful thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviours to perpetuate.

But I have also experienced that when I observe myself in any moment I can see the thoughts and feelings that are harmful within me and the words and actions they are leading to. Then the school of life becomes real and you can experience that you are undertaking a learning that you will be tested upon it to see if there has been a real change or a superficial change - you can see this in situations in daily life but more so in dreams.

Have you ever given up something like smoking, drinking or something that you didn't want to do, and thought that you have given it up because you don't do it in your day, but in your dreams you see (and sometimes a long time down the track) that you are still doing that thing? That's what I mean when I say you can see it in your dreams, it shows that even though that behaviour isn't carried out in daily life it still continues in our subconscious, therefore we have changed in some way, but it hasn't been completely removed.

Its something that I've experienced and it helps me to look deeper within to spot those drives that still want to carry on that behaviour. These kind of experiences are tangible for me and from experiences I find I can better relate to spiritual texts like the bible and the gnostic gospels... if you know what I mean?

Moved here as it did not follow the OP of "Re: The Calling, The Choosing, The Chosen, "Saints"" By Norval

[Cookie]

second post.. I'll just jump right in..

There was a time (decades..) that I thought of myself as a spiritual person. But, now, I don't put myself in any classification. I'm a researcher and the more I know, the less I'm sure about anything..

My Truths..
1. The god of the Old Testament is not the same as the god of the New Testament.
2. The god of the OT was not a 'god' in our sense of the word. He/It was a technologically advanced entity that killed and avenged for the Jewish tribes.. hence.. the Torah.
3. The evolution of the soul and care of the physical container is 'micro-mananged' by a hierarchy of advanced beings.. These beings have been called many names in different religions and cultures. (angels)
4. There is a Creator being that does not require worship, animal or human sacrifice, churches, priests, communion, religious holidays..etc
5. All of the above were created as a control mechanism by lower entities who have been the true 'masters' of this prison planet for eons.
6. These lower entities sabotage the human reincarnation process, making it very difficult for our progression to higher dimension/vibration.
7. There is something extremely important hidden in our 'junk' dna.
8. We all exist in many different dimensions through our many subtle bodies. All of these bodies carry dna and all of our dna is connected.

Seem's I was leading into other areas of research! But, it is ALL connected.
I'll stop here. Please note that these are my beliefs, only!

-C

[Cookie]

A lot of them have all familiar stories, no father figure in the household, a stepfather etc. They all are being tested, passing or not passing a test is not the significance, it is what they have learnt from the test.

Hi, Gale..

Could you please tell me of more things these people have in common?

Back in 1991, I experienced a very vivid abduction. I remember everything EXCEPT for the actual 'on board' event. I had high strangeness afterward that terrified me.. and still haunts me today. A few days later, I received a 'download' of information. This was at a time when I knew nothing about 2012. I was 'told' that I was a teacher and that my mission/job whatever would begin in earnest in 2012.. that I would be assisting when I'm in spirit. I was 'told' that I will leave the physical dimension when I'm 59. I was told that something "wonderful" was going to happen around the time of my death. What could this wonderful thing be? I've had vivid dreams of calamities, but, a reocurring dream, since childhood, about a beautiful agrarian society.. hhmm.. guess we'll all find out someday!

Do you ever feel that you've lived several life times in this present life? So many diverse experiences, so many trials and tragedies. So many highs and lows... more than the average person? Do you feel that it's all leading to 'something'?

-C

Post moved as Off Topic by Norval from Re: The Calling, The Choosing, The Chosen, "Saints"

[Gale]

Could you please tell me of more things these people have in common?
In the thread "The Calling, The Choosing, The Chosen, "Saints"" you will find a lot of information even the link to more information, I suggest reading through the posts. This link: The Calling (http://earthsbanner.com/TheCalling.html)
New wine goes in new wine skins, so it goes without saying, one has to read the Document without any preconceived notions or religious dogma. Otherwise it is defeating the purpose of learning.
This was my response/suggestion when asked about reading without the religious dogma:

I don't/didn't have a religious background so I never prayed to a dead lady (Mary) or went door to door with pamphlets or went hysterical singing and hit in the forehead to be told your well now.
I only know how I was told to read the book, starting with the New Testament, then reading the Old Testament in reverse order starting with Malachi.
To read without the dogma, I can only imagine would be an individual struggle with getting rid of all previous training from churches. A fresh mind without religion. I was also told when you read you will come across something that will seem like it was written just for you and I found that to be very true. It was like there was a letter written just for me within all those words.

You ask: Do you ever feel that you've lived several life times in this present life? So many diverse experiences, so many trials and tragedies. So many highs and lows... more than the average person? Do you feel that it's all leading to 'something'?

If you are leaning towards reincarnation, then no. If you are leaning towards so many lessons learned that I sometimes feel ancient then yes and I sometimes feel like a silly child eager for more when I come across something new and fascinating.
Tragedy is a word I have never used in relation to any of my past experiences.
Many highs and lows....yes and no, many disappointment in other people, yes. An ex-husband, the relationship started out as all that I ever wanted in a mate only for him to turn into a monster for both me and my children.
More than the average person? Possibly, in these end days I have found the test is no longer as much a test as it is survival. These testers, the fallen ones since they are stuck here on/in the Earth have cranked up the testing to way beyond any acceptable level. That is why I call it war and it is called war in the Document.

Revelation 12:17
RSV with Apocrypha
Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on
the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God
and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
New RSV
Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make
war on the rest of her children, those who keep the
commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus. [NRSV vs 18]
Then the dragon took his stand on the sand of the seashore.
King James Version
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the
remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ.

Do I feel it is all leading to "something"? Emphatically yes. Retracing my past, my learning, my experiences, even my choices in life style somehow landed me in a chat room and crossed paths with Norval. Then my nose stuck in the Document, well several versions of the Document and the sciences.... Leading to something, oh yes, I discovered the something or someone so I am in anticipation mode and keep watching the sky. But as I mentioned to Layla "The response associated with the internal realization has been simplistically labeled the "OH Shit"." The "Oh Shit" Syndrome (http://earthsbanner.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19)

[Norval]

Cookie, you may find this very interesting, it is long about an hour and 25 mins. yet is one of the best videos I know of that explains what many of us here in the forum have learned. The research Gale and I have done just adds to this information and verifies it.

http://earthsbanner.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115

or here,

[Cookie]

Norval.... I watched. This is what I KNOW. My guts and heart and life experience tells me that this is true.

Bad ets ARE the demons of the Bible. We have been deceived... for millenia. Only now, are we becoming aware of the monstrosities that have been perpetrate on the human race. Only now are we understanding, through ancient texts, what has been done to our genetic make up. It's time to take a stand against these vile beings who hate what we have become...and what we are finally starting to know. They are fighting to keep control of this slave planet and they are loosing. Time is short. Many many things to do. Hands open, eyes closed. See the grid? We are creators and warriors.

xxoo
Cookie

[Layla]

Hi Cookie

The bible and how it originated has a greater story then what is commonly known.

To understand any text we need to understand the language it is written in, and in the case of the bible, much was written in a symbolic language using parables, stories and prophecies. For example Jesus spoke about 'not casting your pearls before swines lest they trample them underfoot.' How does one go about understanding such an allegory?

The war referred to in the bible is often mistaken for an external war and it has been used to slaughter many people in the name of such and such a religion. This and other misinterpretations of such references shows the difficulty that arise when we try to interpret the messages literally without understandign the symbolic language it was written in and the divine spiritual meaning that it pertains to.

Here is an excellent video (Short 3 part series) that recounts the making of the bible:

Layla

[Norval]

Norval.... I watched. This is what I KNOW. My guts and heart and life experience tells me that this is true.

Bad ets ARE the demons of the Bible. We have been deceived... for millenia. Only now, are we becoming aware of the monstrosities that have been perpetrate on the human race. Only now are we understanding, through ancient texts, what has been done to our genetic make up. It's time to take a stand against these vile beings who hate what we have become...and what we are finally starting to know. They are fighting to keep control of this slave planet and they are loosing. Time is short. Many many things to do. Hands open, eyes closed. See the grid? We are creators and warriors.

xxoo
Cookie



, , , and they are still fighting to keep us deceived, as we can read and listen to from the above post, , , , :lol: :RockOn:

[Gale]

Here is an excellent video (Short 3 part series) that recounts the making of the bible:

:puke:

[debbieloslo]

Religion was setup to rule the people by fear, not to get us "closer to heaven".

love & peace




This post moved from thread "We Accept as Truth?" as off topic by Norval

[Norval]

Debbie
You may find that "religion" is far more dangerous than that in it's many deceptions.

[unipax]

yeah

that would be a good book all by itself