Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

In that case God stands for Gold, oil, drugs.:naughty:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Did you miss my post Lisa? :winksmiley02:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

truthseekerdan, I know that Christians are supposed to interpret the Bible because some passages do not make sense if you take it literally.
However, beren said that that particular passage is "crystal clear", and I thought he meant that for everyone, including those of us who are not "spiritually grown up".

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Thank-you Dog. I agree. Everyone should be tax-exempt...and pay a 5% national federal consumption tax to fund legitimate governmental projects. Anyway...here is an interesting talk which touches on the church tax situation. This one is worth watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCGh-pXXk6s

:nono:Namaste:nono:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Dear Lisa,

As you might not know, there are a lot of other books and gospels that were not included in the canonical Bible. Guess why? :zip:

I hope you heard about the Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. If not here is a link to check out. Also you can do a google search if you are interested to find out more... :thumb_yello:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_scrolls

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Yes, truthseekerdan, I know that there are scriptures beyond the Bible and there are even more if you consider those of other religions.
However, that does not answer my original dumb question.

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Lisa,

No question is a dumb question. :original: It looks to me that you are on the right path of wanting to know more.

Please understand that I'm not trying to look like a "saint or a spiritual guru" however, I'm on the same path like you wanting to know more spiritually.

We are all equal and also ONE with our Creator. Therefore a lot of our questions can be answered better from within us. Don't expect a "right" answer from anybody else.

Keep searching my dear, because He's knocking at your heart's door.

Right now I'm reading an interesting book that I would recommend to you.

See my post here: http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20100

:wub2:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

truthseekerdan, the answer is simple. The "Father" has a big ego and wants to be worshiped. :mf_popeanim:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Not my Father.

If you have a Father that wants to be worshiped, abandon him for the ONE that Loves you unconditionally.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...earthheart.gif

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Nice to see some thoughtful posts here, how about some of your favourite parts of the particular scripture you study, not too long eh!!

Ill start by giving a text from Bhagavad Gita.

Ch 6 Text 6

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.


I like this because it reminds me of how important it is to control ones senses such as anger, greed and violence etc, and it encourages the promotion of humility, goodness, pridelessness etc.

:trumpet:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

The origin of all things can be view as a parent, all parents want the best for their children. None of us worship our parents, rather we love them and respect them. Worship and blind fanaticism has replace the true meaning of our relationship to our origin. Religion throughout history has always been use by tptb to enslave and control humanity. Yes our original mind knows that we are not just flesh and bones, our heart, internal essence , soul ,seeks a connection to our origin. No book is needed , religious emblem or symbol to establish a connection to your origin. Just your true desire to do so. Each person is free to establish a personal connection to the origin of all things. As a young man I study theology and visited many types of religious institutions who often are caught up in internal politics , made up traditions and sub cultures that devalue our connection to our origin. Religious leaders seek to control the masses by stating that because they have the understanding of a particular Holy Book we must congregate and follow them . In the eyes of a parent all children have equal value , irregardless whether they have knowledge or comprehension of their relationship to their parents. All parents love their babies. Babies cannot read, talk, yet parents love their children unconditionally. So why would it be any different for the origin of all things. While some might label this way of thinking as new age, sacrilegious, etc. I view it as pure common sense is time to regain our sovereignty and reclaim our true connection to the origin of all things . :wub2:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Wonderful thought Frank. I would add that by coming here, into materiality, we are given the opportunity to live a small portion of what is to be parent, just like Creation is for all that exist. It is an opportunity to feel from the direct experience of love for our children, a very similar perspective that Creation has for all. An opportunity to a different 'understanding' on what is the world we live in.

Life, Nature, Creation is the greatest spiritual experience to live, seeing it all alive, sentient and feeling is my sens of 'God'... I prefer to say Creation:lol3:.

Namaste, Steven

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Creation implies a creator, this implies intelligence, intelligence implies a personality. As eternal living entities ( something scientists are gradually realising ) we have the same qualities of God, but in a limited way, just as a spark from a fire is not the fire but has the same qualities. We have chosen to be born into the material existence because we desire to become little controllers, little gods. Anyone claiming to be god can easily prove this by creating a planet, a universe, or how about a single blade of grass?

I invite all to watch this video debate.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...chance&view=3#

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Lisa, you asked a perfect question. All is quite simple but it was deliberately complicated for humanity from the very beginning .

Father is Almighty Creator. God.

But when you read Bible you have to realize that it was written 2000 years ago ( new testament) and old reaches to 1500 BC .
That particular verse I quoted was spoken to one Samaritan woman when she was taking water from one well.

Now that is a very interesting scene for serious consideration for several reasons.

1. Jesus spoke to a woman , which was highly unlikely in that time for men to publicly speak with women since they regarded women as lower beings. Very rare situation indeed that a man speaks publicly with woman who was ,by the way, Samaritan -and Jews avoided Samaritans thinking of them as "goyim" -not worthy at all in their eyes.

2.Jesus spoke that words 2000 years ago when 99% of humanity was illiterate and didn`t know a darn thing that even first graders today know and understand. But amazing thing is that essential truths are same even to the most illiterate.

3. All people then ,in that time, never thought in terms Jesus was describing. So I guess it was very difficult for him to explain maaaany thins.
They were accustomed when thinking about God or any deity that they need buildings,groves,trees,sacrifices and many more things since all that was IN USE with every religion at that time. Also they didn`t thought that they are actually in some religion. They thought ,well...,it`s just like that. There is no other way .

4. Since they didn`t thought abstractly at all ,it had to be painted for them in order they could at least beginning to grasp what was Jesus talking about.
Even Jews which were at the time God`s chosen people on Earth were not for away from others. Simply, humanity was living in different time with literacy ,technology and everything.
How can you explain to a man what is a hydroplane when he does not know to write his name or what time is t today???

5. Then realizing all above facts Father or God is actually Almighty Creator . He needs people to worship him in spirit and truth for a start. When they do that ,soon they realize that they don`t need anything they were taught from other people on earth in order to be close friends with Almighty Creator. Look at kids ,when they are small ,their father is almost like a God to them and they try to imitate him and they like and love him and when he raises his voice they are a bit afraid. But instinctively ,they know they are loved and they grow. Later on, father is not being looked upon as when you were a child. Then he gains your deep respect and you two become friends for life. When you are adult you never think about your father as God or what ever, you think about him as good wise friend who was and will be always there for you , 24/7.

BUT as last point here, you can never meet our heavenly Father unless you are humble. It is a long path from worshiping to friendship and honor, but it`s the most precious one that is ,in entire universe ,because when you have a friendship with God-heavenly father-Almighty Creator or all-... then you have everything.

Tell me, is there in existing any other being or person in universe you`d want his/hers friendship more than the very Creator ?

For God is spirit and God is love .Everything that he did was done from initial spark of love that has its source in him.
Look around you on earth, every tree, animal,flower,person, element is a tiny manifestation of his creativity and unlimited creative power.

When ever you see or meet a person which reflects love or wisdom , you then are in direct contact with father through that person emitting part of HIS values...Love-Justice-Wisdom-Power.

When ever your soul is amazed and beautifully blessed and enjoyed from a scent of a flower or butterflies dance or beauty of eagle flight ,you are then touched by Almighty creator.

When ever you eat juicy orange and feel bliss you are fed by Almighty Creator.

Whenever you swim in a pool or river in hot days and feel great because water rejuvenated you, you have been bathed by Almighty creator.

See ,examples are endless...

You ,me, everybody just have to feel, see,listen and love.

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Please kindly resist the urge to post long tracts of dialogue, it stands more chance of being read and digested and i believe it is more respectful of everyones intelligence.

Are there any Muslims or Jews or any other faiths that would like to share personal realisations from their scriptures? :original:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Beren is correct. Humility is the key.

One translation of the word ego is "sin"
The ego is a separation device, it gives the impression that you are in sole control of what happens in your life, that it is the creator, except when it goes wrong then it manufacture an enemy.
It ignores God, it has no humility.

Much has been written on the subject on "the ego what is it? how to transcend" thread.

Hope you dont mind me mentioning it on this great thread "aroundthetable"
By the way you have started me reading the Gita again. Time well spent.
Chris
Namaste

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Pardon me sir :original:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Lol Beren, believe me i share your enthusiasm in these matters :thumb_yello:

Hey Beren, how about a personal favourite or inspiring gem from the bible that you like? No not the whole book!!!

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

deciding to come to this world for almost 52 years
was a real waste of time ~ GOOD GOD ???:mfr_lol:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Well as long as we are here, lets do the right thing by each other, and then get the hell outta here!!

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

I chose to go to hell? What was I thinking? :lol3: Now I'm reduced to trying to get people to air-condition the place! :naughty: http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15878 :original:

Thank-you Beren. I think I will reread the Bible from a Humanistic Christocentric Egyptological Science Fiction point of view. (Seriously!) Sort of a cross between Robert H. Schuller, Albert Schweitzer (his whole life and writings), Ralph Ellis (Jesus: Last of the Pharaohs), and Stargate SG-1. JB Phillips was wrong when he wrote 'Your God is Too Small'. Our God is too BIG. We've made God into a fairy-tale...and a nightmare in many cases. Our Theology is Too Small. It's time to take off the blinders and the gloves...and get real...real fast. Studying all of the Gospels (not just the four)...with a Strong's (not Young's) Concordance...using Grammatical-Historical Hermeneutics (rather than Subjective-Eisegesis)...would be an excellent approach. You know...using the words of Jesus as a theological home-base...and working outward from there. A group of White Hat Jesuits should start a Society of the Teachings of Jesus. The big question is...will I actually do this? I mean well...but I have a very weak follow-through. I'm a tempest in a teapot...and the spooks (or the Jesuits) shouldn't waste their time on me. Actually...they probably don't even know who I am!

:cup:Namaste:cup:

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

Nice one Beren I agree.

I'll take it a step further and say that I believe Jesus message was that we are the Christ, we are Suns and Daughters of God when we awaken from our amnesia and surrender our own illusions of lack and limitation.

Of course we haven't been acting like the Christ here, and that has been our choice. We can either Be the Christ, or we can be the ego. That's our choice. God's chosen One's are those who choose to BE.

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

The fun's just begining dearest Ones... patience of the saints, we are here Now to bring in a New Earth, a Golden Age unsurpassed in Earth history, and we'll do so by bringing in first a New us ~ Rebirth ~ caterpillar Be's the Butterfly ~ old wine surrender, new wine of Christ consciousness fills the Holy Grail (US!)...

Abundant Life made manifest, coming to Planet Earth in the Now... Now!

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

There are many gems, I give few of them now... :original:

Psalm 15 (New International Version)

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.





John 17:20-26 (New International Version)

20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Re: Why making God unfashionable never works..
 

:starwars: :lmao: