posted January 10, 2013 02:08 PM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
I don't have a problem with Christianity. It has some great tenets--if people followed them. I follow many of them myself, and I'm not a Christian. Like to not resist evil. I've seen that one work miracles in my life. The problem is that all of the Christians I personally know are the most two-faced hypocritical people ever. They hate other people, plot against them, are quick to anger, and slow to forgive--if they forgive at all. This is not meant to be a condemnation of a whole religion...it's just my experience. For example, a Christian is supposed to love their enemies and bless those that curse them. Anyone ever see that actually happen? I do live by that philosophy, and it works very well. But I have not personally met one Christian in my lifetime who remotely followed that. Christians give Christianity a bad name. They want conversions, but instead of leading by example, they actually do the opposite and push people away. Seeing this kind of behavior really turns me off to Christianity and makes me never want to embrace it. Once again, this has just been my experience, so don't take it as a blanket condemnation--but of all the many Christians I know, none are humble--they are self-righteous and holier-than-thou. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

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Here's my .02 on this.

I feel like Christians (not Christianity) are constantly vying for human attention ... and have been for 100s of years.

And one way to get attention is by incessant conversions of non-Christians. It's like they're in constant competition with all other religions. And they win if they can get others to convert.

So the focus of Christians seems not so much to practice what Christ taught (if they can understand His Teachings at all), but to create more followers.

In line with this, Christian Missionaries go to other countries and help the poor in those nations provided the poor convert to Christianity. Personally I abhor this practice because to me this is similar to arm twisting, control, and manipulation. Of course the poor are going to convert because they want their basic needs for food and shelter to be met.

Imo for any act to truly qualify as an act of charity, it must be without any condition attached.

Like Mother Theresa, who lived in India in answer to her calling, devoted her entire life after the age of 19 to helping the poor, the sick, and the needy without demanding conversions from anyone.

This is why I have deep respect for some of the Eastern religions like Hinduism for example, which does not have any demands for conversion. Most probably because the belief is that one can only be born a Hindu and not become one through "conversion." However, anyone is free to practice the Hindu way of life.

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~ I have a DO NOT DISTURB sign on my imagination ... because I want to frustrate the twins ... Convention and Dogma

~ The moment I cease to seek the truth, or settle for the truth in the moment ... that is the moment I cease to be a seeker, and become a fundamentalist instead.

~ The truest acts of charity are never disclosed ... they remain a secret between Man, the doer and God.
Because Man knows that each charitable act is an opportunity for him to revel in God just as God avails of His chance to revel in Man through every act of charity.
For them both to continue to rejoice in each other, Man knows he cannot allow worldly accolades to distract him. So he continues to act in kindness ... secretly.

posted January 11, 2013 06:15 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I don't have a problem with Christianity. It has some great tenets--if people followed them. I follow many of them myself, and I'm not a Christian. Like to not resist evil. I've seen that one work miracles in my life. The problem is that all of the Christians I personally know are the most two-faced hypocritical people ever. They hate other people, plot against them, are quick to anger, and slow to forgive--if they forgive at all. This is not meant to be a condemnation of a whole religion...it's just my experience. For example, a Christian is supposed to love their enemies and bless those that curse them. Anyone ever see that actually happen? I do live by that philosophy, and it works very well. But I have not personally met one Christian in my lifetime who remotely followed that. Christians give Christianity a bad name. They want conversions, but instead of leading by example, they actually do the opposite and push people away. Seeing this kind of behavior really turns me off to Christianity and makes me never want to embrace it. Once again, this has just been my experience, so don't take it as a blanket condemnation--but of all the many Christians I know, none are humble--they are self-righteous and holier-than-thou. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

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posted January 11, 2013 06:39 PM            

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Originally posted by juniperb:
ORMB, well, I don`t sacrafice goats, make war on disbelievers or smote anyone

The Bible contains much Wisdom as well. Proverbs and the Mystical Songs of Solomon for instance. I don`t throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Like you, I grew up in a fundalmentalist home. I learned at an early age that the teachings of Christ didn`t match most of the rest of the Bible and for me, there had to be a separation from the church. I loved the Christ but was uncomfortable with the Bible as a Nicene conglomeration to be used as truth .

Through other texts and Masters, I found the threads or continuous chains of spiritual wisdom that the whole of the Holy Texts couldn`t contain.

Eliminate the political, cultural and personal agendas that is much of the Bible and find the harmony, joy and love left.

That gives "proof" to those that say I`m not a "true Christian" by their definition.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted January 13, 2013 01:36 PM            

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Originally posted by 7thGuardian:
I've seen this, posted on FB recently:

...

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posted January 14, 2013 02:08 AM            

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Originally posted by juniperb:
lexx, I`m glad to see you are on top of your game. I missed you around here.

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posted February 01, 2013 07:04 PM            

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Originally posted by iQ:
The real Christianity preached by a genuine 5th D Evolved Soul, Jesus, can be found in the Nag Hammadi texts

The Nicene Conference Censor Board saw to it that Humanity cannot grow beyond a point with the current version of the Bible. They wanted a text with just enough information for them to control the masses through fear.

Hence, phrases like the "The Kingdom of God is inside you and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood and I am there" were deleted.

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I love the Nag Hammadi. The Gnostic Christians I like, but my experiences with most Christians were not positive. So closed minded and over the top with "I love Jesus" or "Thank Jesus" that its nauseating to me. Why? Because it felt forced and contrived. I was forced to go to church--I was indoctrinated into it but my spirit was not agreeing with it. I attempted to read the whole bible, but ended up being angry because my gut reaction was lies! lies! I then asked for guidance on whether I should continue to go to church and asked God/Universe that all I wanted was the truth and to serve the divine.

My mom is a Buddhist and she doesn't follow its precept to the letter, but the one thing I love about her is that she didn't force Buddhism on me. She told me to find my truth. She even went to church because the man she dated and almost married at the time had a fundamentalist Christian for a mother. The mother used to be a Buddhist but got converted to Christianity because a Christian church would help her with medical if she would convert. That's another issue I have about some of these Christian churches...convert and we'll help you with your health, financial, immigration or whatever else woes. Jesus would help no matter what. He didn't need to convert them to anything. By his actions he convert them to the Divine because the Divine doesn't judge and love unconditionally.

I had asked God to show me the truth. My mom had let me continue to go to church after she had broken it off with her fiance. But she saw how judgmental her ex-fiance mother was about other religions and her remark was if you don't believe in Jesus you would burn in eternal hell! My little wee self of 12 was conflicted because it didn't make sense to me why good people would burn in hell just because she didn't believe in a particular person or deity. I just couldn't understand why God could be that cruel. Anyhow, my request for truth had led my mother to tell me no to going to church because it had taught intolerance of others. I took it as an answer from God. And then I came across Linda Goodman's Star Sign at 13 and the rest was history. No to organize religion. God is personal and Love is the supreme force. Jesus was a great embodiment of Love.

So I can appreciate your take Randall on how a lot of Christians act. I don't understand the boastfulness and egoism that comes from these folks that call themselves Christians. It's as if they're trying to convince themselves aloud that they're doing the right thing. If you know you live it by your actions and your deeds.

And I agree with you IQ as one of my hobbies was comparative religious studies and I love the Gnostic Christians.

posted February 01, 2013 10:04 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Sabine:
I love the Nag Hammadi. The Gnostic Christians I like, but my experiences with most Christians were not positive. So closed minded and over the top with "I love Jesus" or "Thank Jesus" that its nauseating to me. Why? Because it felt forced and contrived. I was forced to go to church--I was indoctrinated into it but my spirit was not agreeing with it. I attempted to read the whole bible, but ended up being angry because my gut reaction was lies! lies! I then asked for guidance on whether I should continue to go to church and asked God/Universe that all I wanted was the truth and to serve the divine.

My mom is a Buddhist and she doesn't follow its precept to the letter, but the one thing I love about her is that she didn't force Buddhism on me. She told me to find my truth. She even went to church because the man she dated and almost married at the time had a fundamentalist Christian for a mother. The mother used to be a Buddhist but got converted to Christianity because a Christian church would help her with medical if she would convert. That's another issue I have about some of these Christian churches...convert and we'll help you with your health, financial, immigration or whatever else woes. Jesus would help no matter what. He didn't need to convert them to anything. By his actions he convert them to the Divine because the Divine doesn't judge and love unconditionally.

I had asked God to show me the truth. My mom had let me continue to go to church after she had broken it off with her fiance. But she saw how judgmental her ex-fiance mother was about other religions and her remark was if you don't believe in Jesus you would burn in eternal hell! My little wee self of 12 was conflicted because it didn't make sense to me why good people would burn in hell just because she didn't believe in a particular person or deity. I just couldn't understand why God could be that cruel. Anyhow, my request for truth had led my mother to tell me no to going to church because it had taught intolerance of others. I took it as an answer from God. And then I came across Linda Goodman's Star Sign at 13 and the rest was history. No to organize religion. God is personal and Love is the supreme force. Jesus was a great embodiment of Love.

So I can appreciate your take Randall on how a lot of Christians act. I don't understand the boastfulness and egoism that comes from these folks that call themselves Christians. It's as if they're trying to convince themselves aloud that they're doing the right thing. If you know you live it by your actions and your deeds.

And I agree with you IQ as one of my hobbies was comparative religious studies and I love the Gnostic Christians.

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posted February 02, 2013 12:39 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by 7thGuardian:
I've seen this, posted on FB recently:

...

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posted February 02, 2013 09:43 AM            

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:

I am tired so not going to comment at the moment.
I speak my mind here some:
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum21/HTML/000527.html

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posted February 02, 2013 12:00 PM            

I cringe to see the lable "Christian" on ones who practice it as a form of hate and bullying in the name of jesus the Christ. Unforgivable.

posted February 02, 2013 12:54 PM            

Blessings to you

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted February 02, 2013 01:39 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Sabine:
Like to hear more of your thoughts. I agree with people needing to stop being judgmental and not be focus on doom and gloom and actually use their mental and heart capacity to shed light not condemnation of others. The burn in hell thing is fear mongering and serves no purpose at all.

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quote:

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Originally posted by katatonic:
in a way i think it's a pity that all the earth-haters will be disappointed in the LACK of the end of the world...i keep wishing they would really be whisked away and leave us to enjoy our paradise - "gaia".

all these "end times" scenarios just keep people postponing the actual work of enjoying life and making it beautiful...

namaste juni...and everyone!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lexiigramer:
Indeed!
Paradise is all around us.
It is some of humankind that messes it all up;
but the materials for heaven on Earth are all here.

If all the doomsayers and those who desire hellfire and eternal damnation of most of humanity just because they do not believe as they do, or are gay;
or not their race;
if all these people who pray and desire the end of the world;
would invest their energies into praying/wishing for peace and love for ALL OF HUMANKIND;
perhaps the vibrations would change and Earth finally in time; could indeed become a true paradise.
Thoughts can indeed affect reality;
and so think on this:
All that dogmatic inspired hatred for most of humankind and wanting the world to end in horrible destruction, must be contributing to the bad conditions on this planet.
That is an awful lot of people praying for the destruction and damnation of most of humanity.
The evil vibrations from their collective hateful thoughts is I feel, damaging and impeding on a psychic/spiritual level, the enlightenment of humanity.
End the damnation and destructive thoughts.
To love and peace
to ALL humanity!
To love and enlightenment for of humanity!

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posted February 02, 2013 02:07 PM            

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Well, the road to God( the true God) is narrow. The Christian needs to proclaim this truth, but knows that few will listen, but to those FEW, it is life.

Blessings to you

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posted February 02, 2013 06:59 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:

Blessings to you Sabine

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posted February 02, 2013 07:07 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Sabine:
That type of contradiction of blessing people and wishing folks to damnation is very disingenuous in my opinion. I saw it as a child and thought to myself that is not the work of a loving God. Don't bless me and at the same time wish me to hell because I do not subscribe to your belief about a true "God." It's very condescending.

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posted March 31, 2013 02:27 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I don't have a problem with Christianity. It has some great tenets--if people followed them. I follow many of them myself, and I'm not a Christian. Like to not resist evil. I've seen that one work miracles in my life. The problem is that all of the Christians I personally know are the most two-faced hypocritical people ever. They hate other people, plot against them, are quick to anger, and slow to forgive--if they forgive at all. This is not meant to be a condemnation of a whole religion...it's just my experience. For example, a Christian is supposed to love their enemies and bless those that curse them. Anyone ever see that actually happen? I do live by that philosophy, and it works very well. But I have not personally met one Christian in my lifetime who remotely followed that. Christians give Christianity a bad name. They want conversions, but instead of leading by example, they actually do the opposite and push people away. Seeing this kind of behavior really turns me off to Christianity and makes me never want to embrace it. Once again, this has just been my experience, so don't take it as a blanket condemnation--but of all the many Christians I know, none are humble--they are self-righteous and holier-than-thou. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

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Christianity is considered a major religion in the US (and the world) meaning many people would happily name themselves "christian" in order to be accepted by society overall (or at least improve their chances)

Since this religion does not demand much from its followers who are not of the deeply dedicated type (mainly a few ceremonies and holidays) in order to be called "christian" many people could take that mantle easily and gain its benefits.

With a religion thats easy to be part of and is socially accepted in the area there is good chance to see many people who are "christian" only by name and not by heart.

And there are those who use their religion as justification for their actions/ use religion as a tool that should be forced upon others.

In the end i believe that those who are good in their hearts will be those who put less value into religion an more in their actions.

posted April 01, 2013 10:46 AM            

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted May 28, 2013 07:34 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I don't have a problem with Christianity. It has some great tenets--if people followed them. I follow many of them myself, and I'm not a Christian. Like to not resist evil. I've seen that one work miracles in my life. The problem is that all of the Christians I personally know are the most two-faced hypocritical people ever. They hate other people, plot against them, are quick to anger, and slow to forgive--if they forgive at all. This is not meant to be a condemnation of a whole religion...it's just my experience. For example, a Christian is supposed to love their enemies and bless those that curse them. Anyone ever see that actually happen? I do live by that philosophy, and it works very well. But I have not personally met one Christian in my lifetime who remotely followed that. Christians give Christianity a bad name. They want conversions, but instead of leading by example, they actually do the opposite and push people away. Seeing this kind of behavior really turns me off to Christianity and makes me never want to embrace it. Once again, this has just been my experience, so don't take it as a blanket condemnation--but of all the many Christians I know, none are humble--they are self-righteous and holier-than-thou. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

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