Roger Morrison wrote:
Yeah, you sound more reasonable here :-)
My take on some of this biblical stuff: Ancient / primitive / limited understanding. Their words suited them, but not me, or now. . . Of course they still find favor in some crowds. . .
I don't think the, "... God of our fathers, in whose almighty hands..." exists :-0!! Nor does Satan with or without horns, tail, or pitchfork ;-)
There are countless natural laws upon which the universe and its folks live. Some laws we consciously utilize or violate, others???? When we're smart and do the right things, that's living "Righteously" (nothing to do with religion!)
When we mistakenly, in ignorance, or stupidly do the wrong things, violating natural laws, we "sin" (nothing to do with religion!) Although many like to lay that lash upon folks who make mistakes. Not at all what Jesus exemplified... "GO, and don't make that mistake again!" "And you guys with the stones, ??????
Heaven & Hell concept has out lived what ever purpose or value it ever had. The world has always functioned according to cause and effect. The smarter humans become, the better it will work as we fine tune the multitude of sciences that we become aware of and utilize.
The one greatest in need of adaptation is the most ancient and least understood of all:
"Love your neighbor!"
Whether religious type believers understand that Jesus has no need to come again. His message was delivered once. The ball is now, and has ever been, in our hands. Unfortunately, we like playing Monopoly & War Games rather than Peace & Love...
Wadayas think, eh???
Roger
The Bible can be read in two ways, one in darkness and one in light. Most who read the Bible do so in darkness, ignorance, and so their understanding and interpretations are based on ignorance. And ignorance adds complication. Any religion who has doctrines or beliefs or behaviors that are required is a religion born of ignorance.
There are wisdom traditions in the world though, filled with people who read scripture in the Light, in personal intimate experience and interaction with God. When we are ready for this, when our soul has evolved, things will change for us and we will be drawn to one of these traditions, where the work of the salvation of the world is occurring. Such traditions do not tell their members what to think or what to do, they simply teach the way to salvation, offering unimaginable help, if we want it. Those who have found salvation, who experience salvation, put together teachings and practices that will benefit others who are seeking. This is how the Bible and all Holy Writings came into being. But nothing is ever required or demanded.
Any one who walks in these teachings and the Light behind them has to first shed all the complications that ignorance has piled upon them, and all the sin or missing the mark that arises from those complications.
And so it is understandable that we would have problems with religions created in ignorance, but then again we will have problems with traditions born of Light, if we do not walk in Light. This points to the uniqueness's of our journeys and how what we each need at a specific point in our journey is different. So throwing stones because of differing beliefs and practices is pretty foolish, and unproductive.
You, friend, are just where you need to be. If you needed to be somewhere else, the Law that runs things around here would cause you misery until you moved or shifted. The Law is intended for our evolution, not to punish those who displease God. And sometimes the Law feels like hell, but that is because of us, because of our clinging to that which we have outgrown.
Shalom!
Sheryl
