im new as of right now (Jesus, ritual, beliefs, choice)

[madCOWdisease]

lets see...im new. i just joined today --- i was browsing and i found this community. there are soo many interesting things that i did not know about.
anyway. a little about me.
I was raised southern baptist, went to a southern baptist school, and had southern baptist friends. I was actually very closed minded growing up (imagine that...a southern baptist being closed minded, right!? =/) For a long time I have been questioning christianity and the so called "christians". to me it is just a gathering a fake ppl that were just going through motions -- get up on sunday, go to church, pretend to be something that you are not. i hate it ! and i hated the fact that i was being scared into making a choice -- nobody wants to go to hell as they describe it. so it was that i started lookin into other religions.
I found taosim. i love everything about it -- i cant stop reading books and tring to learn more.
so after going through the motions and pretending to be someone i wasnt for so many years I have finally found something that makes sense to me and makes me happy.
i want to learn as much as i can -- so any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Lightkeeper]

Welcome!

[john313]

Welcome, I would recommend reading the Quran as well. Remember to have an open mind and use logic. I was raised Methodist and had that beat into me until I moved away and met new people. They opened my eyes and my heart to other religions. Most religions had the same original teachings, and one can find truth in all of them. The prophets of the One God that came to each group of people taught the same things, but the people have changed those messages to make their lives easier. This is unfortunate, but true. Remember that each person will be judged according to his/her works according to Jesus.

[john313]

A good book you may enjoy is the Tao of Health Sex and Longevity.

[Lintu]

Hi Madcow! I have a similar upbringing as you--being raised Southern Baptist, that is. I, too, became disillusioned with Christianity, but don't worry...the Christians here don't bite Hope you have a good time here and grow spiritually.

[Feathers in Hair]

Hello and welcome, Madcow!

[robtex]

Hey very cool we so need more Taosist. As far as your geography and your beliefs..have you found other Taoist in florida....tell us one hobby of yours too. Great to meet you.

[Sunstone]

Welcome to the Forums! You have a fascinating bio, MadCow. I hope you find something beautiful here.

[Master Vigil]

Welcome madcow. It is good to have another taoist on here. The best thing to understand about taoism is that it does not have to be learnt from a book, look at the world and see how it works. Look at a stream and see how it flows, how a hot stove burns, and cold ice freezes. That is tao. No words, not the Tao Te Ching, not the Koran, not the Bible, none of them are enough. Remember, it is like a finger pointing to the moon. The books are just the finger, don't focus on the finger focus on the moon.

[Scuba Pete]

Welcome to the forums MCD! Cool name and it reminds me of a good joke:

BTW, do you know why they call it PMS???

(Because Mad Cow Disease was already taken)