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Post by Lux on May 26, 2007 20:09:04 GMT 12
What do you believe and why?
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Post by maire on May 27, 2007 9:54:27 GMT 12
I'm not sure if I believe there is anything, but if there was, I'd go the reincarnation way. I've had feelings that point to having past experience of other lives. The feelings are unsubstantial ones that would probably appear silly to others and hard to explain ... and that, hopefully, will get me out of doing just that  |
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Post by sparrow on May 27, 2007 12:42:29 GMT 12
My spiritual position is pretty close to Maire's! I'm more toward atheism, but there are some things that are unexplained.
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Post by terauparaha on May 27, 2007 14:35:17 GMT 12
I believe that we are the same as the animals. That's what we breed for. To keep it all going.
My wife likes to think there is reincarnation but I asked her this.
If we are reincarnated, how is it possible when we started with a small number and have grown to 6 billion people and to all be reincarnated? If there were a few thousand people at the start, then only they would be reincarnated, if you know what I mean.
Is there a theory to cover my point here that you guys have heard of?
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Post by maire on May 27, 2007 16:17:26 GMT 12
Well TeRau, I have a feeling Interphase, tms resident Raelian, might have an answer for you and if I'm honest, I'd have to admit to thinking the Christian god is an alien and we are descended from people of another planet. I love to run this theory past my non practising catholic husband and born again son. My daughter is also a born again Christian, but she does not find my musings amusing  in fact she gets extremely annoyed. The son has done an extraordinary amount of reading on religions and has an answer for everything and he does not get upset at my ideas. He just laughs ;D ;D the cheeky begger !! |
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Post by terauparaha on May 27, 2007 18:16:58 GMT 12
I drive my mate, the JW a bit mad with my questions too Maire.
How the hell can a person, because they are homosexual, go to hell still even if he gives his whole life to people, helping people according to JWs? There may be a god but I don't think anyone has it worked out right on how to worship him or her (phew). They all have big flaws. The religions I mean.
Look at the big churches and basilicas(spelling). I remember someone saying that Jesus didn't want that. He preached out in the open fields and that is true but western civilisation has always competed with one another for the biggest church.
Look at the Catholics with Men ruling the religion too. Would Jesus have wanted that? I don't think so.
Yep, lots and lots of questions from this quarter.
cheers
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Post by crheas on May 27, 2007 19:02:10 GMT 12
hmm.. let me start by saying... I'm Catholic. I should then go on to say... I just broke up with a nonpracticing pentocostal guy... WOW what a major difference... and yet amazingly not the ruin of the relationship!
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality - is to love the sinner and hate the sin. I totally agree 100%. I have a cousin who was raised Catholic, and he abandoned the church b/c he is a homosexual - and he wanted to have sex. The church is accepting of homosexuals but preaches abstinence, b/c homosexual sex is a sin. I love my cousin very much - and I do not look down on him at all. To me, as a Catholic woman, homosexuality is not something I want to pursue - but it is not my place to judge those who do pursue that lifestyle.
As far as men "ruling" the religion... there are many people in the Church who are pushing for female priests and decons. Especially since there is a shortage of priests. Personally, I dont think I care one way or another. It would probably be weird at first. Many of the practices of the Catholic Church are based on tradition. (I should also mention, I can't stand the nun at my parish. But I have met several nuns in my day that I wouldn't mind hearing a homily from, etc.) There are also many parishes already (especially in rural areas in the States) where most of the services are given by nuns, decons, etc. The major difference is that a priest must bless the Eucharist... but once it has been blessed, it may be used in other services where Liturgy is performed.
As far as what this thread is really supposed to be about. I'm not really sure where I stand on the "Afterlife" As a Catholic I was raised to believe in Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell. I am pretty sure I follow fairly closely to the Church's teachings... but some freaky things have happened to me in the past, so my view of Purgatory is kind of whacked out. I know I believe that everyone goes to Purgatory - and is given a chance to redeem themselves. I don't think that anyone goes straight to Heaven. But I don't see Purgatory as some kind of exact plane etc where my soul will stay. I think that Purgatory exists in a multitude of ways. I think I have to believe this... since I believe in possesion... and I believe in ghosts. (I'm not really sure why I believe in possesion... I guess I just see it as a possibility) I believe that God loves us, and forgives us - and for me, Purgatory is a gift - a place to make up for lost time, unfinished business, and hopefully a gateway to Heaven.
On the other hand... I believe that if I murder someone, I'm going to Hell!
(Ok, so I hope all of this makes sense! if not, just delete it!)
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Post by terauparaha on May 27, 2007 19:19:34 GMT 12
Thanks crheas
It is interesting to get it from your perspective, being a Catholic.
cheers
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Post by Apache on May 27, 2007 20:59:01 GMT 12
My stance is somewhere in the middle. I don't believe we have God as in the christian god, but I believe we are each our on 'god'. By that I mean we have a spirit, soul, personality (whatever you want to call it) Along the lines that we each have a 6th sense, one most have not yet learned to master. Ours brains are far more complex than we have yet discovered scientifically and we are capable of far more than we know at this time.
When we die I believe this 'sense' / spirit lives on, not for years and years, but for a time.
I also think that just like we inherit looks and talent and personality from our ancestors, we also inherit their 'memories' and that is how some people can do things they cannot explain etc. I believe we all have the talent to search within ourselves for these memories, but as yet, most cannot do it.
Ok, that's enough suzyblahblah for now! ;D ;D
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Post by terauparaha on May 27, 2007 23:57:47 GMT 12
suzyblahblah?
Wouldn't go that far Suzy
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Post by maire on May 28, 2007 6:32:52 GMT 12
:)I thought it was very interesting Suzy and it opens yet another area of thought.
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Post by misilon on Jun 10, 2007 15:44:44 GMT 12
There is diversity and it seems that most religions do at least agree on one point.
They believe that something inside a person—be it called soul, spirit, or ghost—is immortal and continues living after the death of the body.
It is only normal for us to wonder if death is the end of it all.
There is a saying ---,
“There exists hope for even a tree. If it gets cut down, it will even sprout again, and its own twig will not cease to be.”
Surely a human being is more important than a tree,..
Religions around the world have developed a array of beliefs in the Hereafter,( a bewildering array of beliefs ) based on the teaching that the soul is immortal.
And such beliefs have affected, even dominated and enslaved billions of people
Do I believe in life after death ? Yes I do ,…from the bibles point of view
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Post by tormore on Jun 10, 2007 15:59:05 GMT 12
life after death, oxymoron springs to mind...........
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Post by misilon on Jun 10, 2007 18:28:03 GMT 12
yeah understandable from your point of view tormore,....and its all good ,.....the point is,... there are people out there who want to know,..theyre who Im looking for,..its nice to be there for them.....oxymoron,..good word ,..
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Post by fishmuffagain on Jun 10, 2007 18:52:59 GMT 12
What do you believe and why? defintanly not, once you die your gone for good, 6foot under and you aint going anywhere, |
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Post by fishmuffagain on Jun 10, 2007 19:00:10 GMT 12
There is diversity and it seems that most religions do at least agree on one point. They believe that something inside a person—be it called soul, spirit, or ghost—is immortal and continues living after the death of the body. It is only normal for us to wonder if death is the end of it all. There is a saying ---, “There exists hope for even a tree. If it gets cut down, it will even sprout again, and its own twig will not cease to be.” Surely a human being is more important than a tree,.. Religions around the world have developed a array of beliefs in the Hereafter,( a bewildering array of beliefs ) based on the teaching that the soul is immortal. And such beliefs have affected, even dominated and enslaved billions of people Do I believe in life after death ? Yes I do ,…from the bibles point of view Maybe there is a great marshmallow in the sky waiting for you to snuggle in to lol |
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Post by crheas on Jun 10, 2007 19:35:30 GMT 12
ooooooo marshmallow.. tasty
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Post by misilon on Jun 10, 2007 19:40:20 GMT 12
yes indeed crheas hahahaha!! I love marshmellow so thank you lorry hehe!!
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Post by fishmuffagain on Jun 10, 2007 20:05:26 GMT 12
anytime
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Post by kokonutwoman on Jun 11, 2007 11:25:02 GMT 12
What do you believe and why? In two minds on the subject of life after death. In my younger days 100 years ago I hitched round NZ and on a Sunday I would walk into the nearest church and it didn't matter what domination. I am a new aged catholic that is I go to church when I feel the need and of late that no very often. |
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in fact she gets extremely annoyed. The son has done an extraordinary amount of reading on religions and has an answer for everything and he does not get upset at my ideas. He just laughs ;D ;D the cheeky begger !!
