They're Pushing Jesus Again...
...tuning into Christian radio, which seems to be our only spiritual education here in the West, mainly for a reprieve from the concerns of the material, financial world. Have always had difficulty with the concept of blood sacrifice so that others achieve some benefit, love, eternal life, etc. Why can't we ALL live? My brother died, and, while I do feel stronger since I watched him die, part of me, arguably the best, sweetest part, died too. There was no benefit. It only left behind a void, and pain.
And I have a problem with the Christian concept of denying all flesh cravings to achieve spiritual nirvana. It could be argued that the spirit can be attained THROUGH the desires of the flesh. While there is no peace in a bottle of liquor or controlled substance, there is much peace in the merging of the flesh, sex. It cools, tranquilifies. Obviously, the issue is monogamy. Sex should be enjoyed in a monogamous, committed relationship, marriage. Denying physical flesh cravings means denying the deepest part of the spirit. Again, there is no benefit from this. There is only the barren, parched earth and a dead spirit. I will delve into the teachings of Buddhism and the far East for further enlightenment.
A brief stint into Chinese philosophy reveals a very Imperial people, which explains a great many things about my lady-friend, who lived in the neighboring country to China, Vietnam, and who is a worker-bee, to attain material wealth. Further exploration into Eastern philosophy will follow...
And I have a problem with the Christian concept of denying all flesh cravings to achieve spiritual nirvana. It could be argued that the spirit can be attained THROUGH the desires of the flesh. While there is no peace in a bottle of liquor or controlled substance, there is much peace in the merging of the flesh, sex. It cools, tranquilifies. Obviously, the issue is monogamy. Sex should be enjoyed in a monogamous, committed relationship, marriage. Denying physical flesh cravings means denying the deepest part of the spirit. Again, there is no benefit from this. There is only the barren, parched earth and a dead spirit. I will delve into the teachings of Buddhism and the far East for further enlightenment.
A brief stint into Chinese philosophy reveals a very Imperial people, which explains a great many things about my lady-friend, who lived in the neighboring country to China, Vietnam, and who is a worker-bee, to attain material wealth. Further exploration into Eastern philosophy will follow...
Replies
I sure enjoy my Christian Faith, many do and many don\'t. Enjoy your search...
This is exactly why I\'ve been looking into paganism, which was essentially the real \"religion\" of Russia. I refuse to be part of a \"spiritual following\" where there are requirements of 1. self mutilation 2. self degradation 3. pushing your faith on others 4. believing your faith is superior to others
In paganism, like in Buddhism, a human is merely a part of nature and a small part of universe, not the center of it. Sex and intimacy are normal. Rituals are mainly performed to honor the energies of nature around us.
Before I wasn\'t sure if I would ever join a religion, but lately I\'ve become pretty much convinced that organize religion as we know it is not for me.
Don\'t mean to start a dispute..but isn\'t paganism just another man made religion. I don\'t know. I believe in God, and I don\'t afflilate myself with any one church or religion, although I think ALL of them have something good to offer. I believe sex should be sacred, kind of what you were saying koolman, but that yeh christianity takes it too far, there\'s too much shame and I hate the word \"sin\". I don\'t aggree with their stance that homosexuality is wrong. Why is it wrong if two people love each other and are in a comitted and loving healthy relationship. Much healthier than the abusive and violent relationships going on in half the world that are deemed acceptable. What rot. What else. Oh yeh.Illegitmate children and bastard children - who was the knob-head that came up with those terms and would he like to sit down and look my beautiful 7 year old daughter at the time in the eye and explain to her what a bastard was. No babies are illegitimate sorry, all babies are blessings. I can\'t stand it when I hear a christain talk about illegitmate children, and single mothers like they\'re the black plague. There is much I like about chrisianity but these factors have been enough for me to never want to become one. I couldn\'t have done anything more than what I did to try and have a relationship with the father of my child (who was a lying, verbally abusive, and taking drugs and didn\'t want to get married) so seriously I gave him 5 years to mature and get his act together for our daughter, and a second chance even, and we reconciled 5 yrs later and he did it all again. I don\'t like how people are painted with one brush by chrisians. I remember one day talking to this lovely lady who was a Jehovah witness, and I\'m open minded I\'ll talk to anyone from any religion because I\'m curious, but after a few times, she bought her friend, and she made me feel nothing but bad about myself and shame and kept on going on about her virginity being like a jewellry box for her husband and do you want to give that key away to everyone?? And I thought, well, it\'s a bit late now lady, obviously I\'m not a virgin, so you\'re doing nothing but making me feel like shit and like I\'m trash just because I don\'t have a ring on my finger but I gave that relationship my all, and it was to my detriment. And you are no closer to God than me, even though you think you are. I still know how to talk to God and connect God without going to church. Anyway, I belong to God, no church, no religion, although I will always be interested in learning spiritually. Sorry for rambling. Don\'t mean to offend anybody, freedom of expression only. And yeh, what\'s wrong with loving someone and being intimate with them in a comitted relationship, and yes ideally marriage, but surely there is some leeway for things that you can do before marriage. Just my opinion again....Ok over and out:)
Wow, opened up a \"can of worms\" (I mean, a good discussion) here! Continue to discuss if you wish!
To Koolman and Jodi, I recommend a book by Rob Bell called LOVE WINS.I think you\'d both find it at the very least interesting.