Has anyone here looked into the total Historical Origins of your Religion ?

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Really. I had refrained from comment, because I really like Zeke and respect his opinions.

However, I have always found that a little intelligence and common sense was sufficient to keep me out of trouble. I've always thought that people who NEED the threat of eternal damnation to keep them in line must be a little soft in the head to begin with.

After all, A stupid thing is a stupid thing, whether your a believer, or not. Unless you're stupid. Are ya feelin' me?

Dave

Whoa Dave, I never thought about eternal damnation as a reason for being compassionate. I guess I have looked at it in the way a Franciscan Monk spoke in one sermon (yes we did attend church for a while). He said we speak of "God, The Father" and many of you are fathers. So do your children not on occasion do things that make you weep, but you do not cease to love them. How then should our heavenly Father, who is so much better then we are, stop loving us.

Well that I hope captures the gist of his sermon; another thing that governs my actions. When Jesus was asked which are the greatest Commandments He responded " . . .and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." I guess I was in my forties when it dawned on me that if I did not love myself, then I could not possibly love my neighbour, or anyone else for that matter. Up until that point I had been my greatest critic, and not necessarily a kind critic. Now, although I see my faults, I also see my good qualities and tend to concentrate on the latter and seek to correct the former.

But that is just me and may not necessaily work for others.

There was a quotation that the late King George VI used in his New Years message to the Commonwealth;

"I said to the man who stood at the door to the New Year, give me a lamp for the way is dark and I know not the path. He said to me, Go forth and put your hand into the hand of God, that shall be better unto you than any known way or path." Sorry, that's from memory so I may not have it right, it has been a goodly number of years.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Whoa Dave, I never thought about eternal damnation as a reason for being compassionate. I guess I have looked at it in the way a Franciscan Monk spoke in one sermon (yes we did attend church for a while). He said we speak of "God, The Father" and many of you are fathers. So do your children not on occasion do things that make you weep, but you do not cease to love them. How then should our heavenly Father, who is so much better then we are, stop loving us.

Well that I hope captures the gist of his sermon; another thing that governs my actions. When Jesus was asked which are the greatest Commandments He responded " . . .and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." I guess I was in my forties when it dawned on me that if I did not love myself, then I could not possibly love my neighbour, or anyone else for that matter. Up until that point I had been my greatest critic, and not necessarily a kind critic. Now, although I see my faults, I also see my good qualities and tend to concentrate on the latter and seek to correct the former.

But that is just me and may not necessaily work for others.

There was a quotation that the late King George VI used in his New Years message to the Commonwealth;

"I said to the man who stood at the door to the New Year, give me a lamp for the way is dark and I know not the path. He said to me, Go forth and put your hand into the hand of God, that shall be better unto you than any known way or path." Sorry, that's from memory so I may not have it right, it has been a goodly number of years.

Rob, I believe you've put it in a nutshell.

You don't ask "God" to forgive your transgressions, you ask yourself to forgive your transgressions. But it only works if you're sincere enough with yourself to realize that this isn't a career opportunity.

Chas

[Twodogs]

Most of my praying is of the foxhole variety. I think the Good Lord is ok with that though. I reckon he knows if you're trying or not, and what's really in every man's heart.


Now, let us raise the Black Flag and get this Chinese debt thing done and over with.

[BlueStreak]

"I was quite literally force-fed Christianity by my psychotic mother. The only religion I ever took an interest in voluntarily was Bhuddism. Which drove her to distraction in the summer of 2002. She thought it was the end of all things sacred and holy to find a copy of "I Ching" in my car. She told me I made her "sick" for looking outside her faith. I nearly reminded her that I stopped giving a damn what she thought when I was 10.

But, I couldn't do that to Pops. Poor guy never would have heard the end of it.

Dave"

What compassion? I was beaten. Whipped with an extension cord at the age of ten. "God" didn't seem to give a shit. Sorry, but that's what's real to me.

Dave

[BlueStreak]

Time for me to bow out for a while. At least out of this thread. It's taking me places I don't care to visit.

Dave

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

"I was quite literally force-fed Christianity by my psychotic mother. The only religion I ever took an interest in voluntarily was Bhuddism. Which drove her to distraction in the summer of 2002. She thought it was the end of all things sacred and holy to find a copy of "I Ching" in my car. She told me I made her "sick" for looking outside her faith. I nearly reminded her that I stopped giving a damn what she thought when I was 10.

But, I couldn't do that to Pops. Poor guy never would have heard the end of it.

Dave"

What compassion? I was beaten. Whipped with an extension cord at the age of ten. "God" didn't seem to give a shit. Sorry, but that's what's real to me.

Dave

Well, I can see why you're kinda sour on religion.

I just had to sit there for years, watching the clock run backwards, while the preacher managed to put everyone else to sleep other than myself.

They even tried to hypnotize once, it order to lead me to the light.

Now that was a waste of time.

The best I remember, my folks never tried to beat religion into me. Everything else, but not religion. And my Dad, as much as I love him, would still be kicking my ass if I hadn't given him an uppercut followed by a cross.

Chas

[painter]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Time for me to bow out for a while. At least out of this thread. It's taking me places I don't care to visit.

Dave

I understand........................................ ......................................

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Charles

Well, I can see why you're kinda sour on religion.

I just had to sit there for years, watching the clock run backwards, while the preacher managed to put everyone else to sleep other than myself.

They even tried to hypnotize once, it order to lead me to the light.

Now that was a waste of time.

The best I remember, my folks never tried to beat religion into me. Everything else, but not religion. And my Dad, as much as I love him, would still be kicking my ass if I hadn't given him an uppercut followed by a cross.

Chas

Not "sour on religion", sour on fanaticism and the desire of some to press their beliefs on others, either directly or through some socio-political fiat.

Show up on my doorstep trying to make me feel un-American, or ashamed of myself for not sharing your religious beliefs-----and you'll end up running from me.

And that's a promise.

Dave

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by painter

I understand........................................ ......................................

Thank you.

Dave

[merrylander]

Florence would understand for reasons I won't go into.