Home made religoun (mystic, tradition, beliefs, America, churches)

[joeboonda]

Mavrikmind, you say you still believe in God, no doubt, so what else do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus died to pay for all our sins and offers salvation as a free gift? That once one has trusted Christ they are eternally secure as the Southern Baptist (and many other churches believe)? Do you still believe the Bible is God's Word to us so we may know how to be saved and how to live, or are you just striking out in the dark here? What I am saying or asking, is what are the main doctrines you believe, that is a good place to start. Then study to find out about the less important doctrines and how you look at them, it is an individual effort it is true, and we should examine all things, but eventually, there is THE TRUTH, Jesus said He is the truth, do you believe that? Just asking, God bless.

[ayani]

Mav- this is really what i have done, in a sense. my faith is my own. i believe that my understanding of faith has come from God, but the way that i practice and understand this is unique to me, so far as i know.

go for it! there is beauty in diversity- like stained glass windows in a cathedral. some very small, some huge, all of different colors and patterns.

[Mavrikmind]

Originally Posted by joeboonda

Mavrikmind, you say you still believe in God, no doubt, so what else do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus died to pay for all our sins and offers salvation as a free gift? That once one has trusted Christ they are eternally secure as the Southern Baptist (and many other churches believe)? Do you still believe the Bible is God's Word to us so we may know how to be saved and how to live, or are you just striking out in the dark here? What I am saying or asking, is what are the main doctrines you believe, that is a good place to start. Then study to find out about the less important doctrines and how you look at them, it is an individual effort it is true, and we should examine all things, but eventually, there is THE TRUTH, Jesus said He is the truth, do you believe that? Just asking, God bless.

Yes I do believe in God. As for Jesus .... ( This is just my humble opinion ) I think he was a great man who did exist. I think he was extremely charismatic and I think he really truely believed in his teachings. I also think he was a healer ahead of his time. I also think he did wonderous things. But as far as being the son of god! No I don't think I follow that notion. I think he he was tortured and died for what he taught wich is sad.
Now as far as the bible goes. I think that it was written by men who truely believed they were recieving the word of god. I think that the bible is an execellent guide to live by. Most of the writing in the bible I only take as far as it was written by men. They were great men to be sure, but men just the same.
As far as "The Truth" goes. I think a little bit of truth lies in each of us. I also think a little of God resides in each of us and that he speakes to us every day.
Most of my opinions change a little here and there as I learn more. So in saying that I could be wrong about anything I say here. I have a pretty open mind, so I believe I have alot to leanr

[Terrywoodenpic]

Maverikmind....
I don't think God worries at all about the details of our beliefs.
Much of what we are taught is most likely quite inaccurate.
You are moving along the path ,like me , where you see no problem with being a heretic.

I believe much of what the Anglican church teaches... more about what it teaches about Jesus ; than about what it teaches, that it sees as necessary to be an Anglican.

So I have been able to find a home amongst people who share many of my beliefs though ,not have to worry about swallowing the whole lot with out thought.
The Anglican faith is a very broad church and puts up with the likes of me no trouble.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

And for something to think about, Southern Baptists didn't spring from the forehead of God.
....
Then once the Baptist movement reached America we have the eventual formation of the Southern Baptist churches, who have yet again slightly modified the Baptist beliefs to suit themselves.

All excellent points, Halcyon.

I'd add that it's worth pondering that once upon a time in America it was the Baptists who derided as "free thinkers."

So I don't see how Baptists have much of a foot to stand on in criticizing free thinking. It's like saying your own ancestors should not have lived to reproduce.

Also, there's more than one kind of Baptist out there. I don't see much resemblence between Baptists where I grew up and, say, Southern Baptists in Texas.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Mavrikmind

That makes sense, I've been known to get that way myself. Now that I'm a little bit older I love change, it keeps my mind active and it keep things fresh for me. especially where faith is concerned.

Change comes in several forms. One is the sort that results in growth and/or adaptation to current conditions. That kind of change is desirable generally, and to shut it out means to get stagnant and eventually to be of little benefit to the world.

There's another sort of change that just results in further division, though, and that also ends up diluting any religion's ability to be of benefit to the world.

The thing, as it usually is, is to walk the middle path.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Mavrikmind

Yes I do believe in God. As for Jesus .... ( This is just my humble opinion ) I think he was a great man who did exist. I think he was extremely charismatic and I think he really truely believed in his teachings. I also think he was a healer ahead of his time. I also think he did wonderous things. But as far as being the son of god! No I don't think I follow that notion. I think he he was tortured and died for what he taught wich is sad.

Do you think it's possible that God communicated to us through Jesus?

Ignore the whole son of God thing and writings about Jesus and maybe just look at the stuff in red print at first...what do you think?

[Mavrikmind]

The thing that I forget about sometimes is that God will allways love us no matter what we do. We could all be wrong or we could all be right. I think what is most important isn't going to church or becomeing a member of a certain faith. It's the desire to worship god in a meaningfull way, from the heart.
I don't think he really cares if you pray to him in a grand catholic church or a run down clapboard meeting house.
With all the choices out there, I find it easy to forget about the simplest things. Loving God with all your being, trying every day to be a good person. Anything more than that might be good but I just don't think it's all that important.

[ayani]

Originally Posted by Mavrikmind

The thing that I forget about sometimes is that God will allways love us no matter what we do. We could all be wrong or we could all be right. I think what is most important isn't going to church or becomeing a member of a certain faith. It's the desire to worship god in a meaningfull way, from the heart.
I don't think he really cares if you pray to him in a grand catholic church or a run down clapboard meeting house.
With all the choices out there, I find it easy to forget about the simplest things. Loving God with all your being, trying every day to be a good person. Anything more than that might be good but I just don't think it's all that important.

is all i can say to that.