New Thought: A Faith, A Philosophy, A Way of Life
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- RichardSpeaks
- sacred_insights
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- sacred_insights
- RichardSpeaks
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- RichardSpeaks
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» RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: New Thou
In response to sacred insightsYour words are very kind.
I don't actually get offended when some of the fundies call me ignorant, stupid. Or bound for hell. I consider the source. I also know that fundies are certain that the devil is behind every rock, as we've discussed before. Satan is just waiting for some believer to slip up and land him/herself in hell. And the fundies cannot take that chance, not only for themselves, but for others. That's why they attack other ideologies. They truly believe people like you and me are leading folks astray. And they must do whatever they can to stop us.
Oh, well. . .
-- posted by RichardSpeaks
» sacred_insights - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: New
In response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: New Thou posted by RichardSpeaks:Yep seems fundies see it as their job to save us from ourselves and others from us also...
Oh well... 
Interesting how the human mind works and how we as humans come to believe such different notions about God, Religion and spirituality...
It is the differences in thinking that keep me reading and thinking and some how I think learning to deal with and accept differences and yet be individuals is what the spiritual journey is all about... At least that is what mine seems to be about at the moment.
Cat
-- posted by sacred_insights
» RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to sacred insightsThis afternoon, I was flashing through the TV channels and came across a fairly well known fundy minister talking about compromises. He said, in effect, that if you compromise on anything in scripture, it won't be long before you're compromising on more and more and more. He used the example of choosing not to believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Then, maybe not believing in walking on water, then raising people from the dead, and eventually, letting go of Biblical Christianity altogether. My God, he was describing me! I loved it. It didn't work exactly like that in my life, but close enough. I gradually began to let go of the myth, and finally the religion itself. Glad I did. I have had a much closer relationship with Spirit than I ever did as a quaking Christian, always unsure of whether or not I was good enough. Now I know I don't have to live up to anyone else's code. My personal mantra: do no harm, help where you can. It doesn't get much simpler than that.
-- posted by RichardSpeaks
» sacred_insights - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: posted by RichardSpeaks:Now I know I don't have to live up to anyone else's code. My personal mantra: do no harm, help where you can. It doesn't get much simpler than that.
I hear you... and could not agree more!
Funny you know I come from a non religious family for the most part.
When I was 19 I started searching and of course came into Christianity. Not knowing what was what I was part of the Fundie thing for about 2 years. I never really got deeply enough into it because I had other spiritual experiences happening to me that the fundies could not and did not want to explain.
So I left and then came into Spiritualism and for me that was freedom to and freedom from.
Freedom from and oppressive religious moral code and freedom to explore whatever spiritual path that was of interest to me... Never been more balanced and content in my life and those around me have noticed and do tend to ask what it is I am doing. Funny most think it is some new diet or that maybe I have done something nice to spoil myself. I just smile and think: That having a spiritual path that builds you up and excites you makes all the difference in how you feel and live your life... At least it has been that way for me. And the best part is that in my travels here online I have gotten the chance to share ideas with you another seeker who is enjoying all that spirituality has to offer.
Cat
-- posted by sacred_insights
» RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to sacred insights"That having a spiritual path that builds you up and excites you makes all the difference in how you feel and live your life..."
Indeed. And you, I and others like us can share some of the same inner direction and differ in other areas without each telling the other they are bound for hell, or purgatory, or Newark, or some other not so nice place. (My apologies to you guys in Newark, It's actually a lovely city. Lovely.)
I actually have no excuse for my fundy days. My parents never forced me to go to church. I chose to do that myself. I became a born again Christian at the age of six. And I meant it. So, as I said before, my relationship with Spirit, if it has changed at all, has only increased in depth and width. What has changed is the myth. I don't think for a moment that what I currently believe is any less myth than anything else. But it serves me well for this life. And it gives me the opportunity to simply see each person as on a journey. And even if the person doesn't recognize it, the journey is spiritual. And the outcome is guaranteed: perfect. Love has no other outcome. Like that? Now that's preachin' !!! New Thought style.
-- posted by RichardSpeaks
» sacred_insights - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: posted by RichardSpeaks: I like your style. Even if we don't always agree on details we have come to understanding each other a bit better wouldn't you agree? And that is the important part...
Cat
-- posted by sacred_insights
» RichardSpeaks - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to sacred insightsThanks for those comments.
In my humble opinion, as long as three things are up front, I can accept anyone's belief system without animosity. Those three things:
1. Rejection of eternal damnation
2. Do no harm
3. Help where you can
And even if people believe in the first one, I can work with them as long as they don't try to force that belief down throats.
Anything else is detail. As long as those three are in place, I am a fan.
What one believes about spirit, afterlife, hobgoblins, angels is fine. Most of us won't find any of that out until we die anyway, right? So, we can agree to disagree and accept each other's views without rancor.
What do you think?
-- posted by RichardSpeaks
» sacred_insights - Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
In response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: posted by RichardSpeaks:What do you think?
What more needs to be said?
-- posted by sacred_insights
» RichardSpeaks - Re: The History of the New Thought Movement by Horatio W. Dresse
In response to spiritalkYes, I am familiar with Dresser's works. He was one that we studied in seminary. But a more up to date book that you might find interesting is New Thought Religion by Martin A. Larson, c.1987. It was our main textbook and it is a very good overview.
Thanks for asking.
-- posted by RichardSpeaks
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