Inspired by the thread about Jesus not being married and Essenes and whatnot, I wondered why some faiths teach celibacy as a good thing. Paul of Christianity wishes everyone were virgins as he was apparently, certain forms of Buddhism teach that abstaining from sexual relations is good, as well as does Jainism. I can't think of a decent reason to deny oneself this forever. Sure, one can abstain for certain amounts of time, as with food, certain activities, etc., but one would hardly abstain...

How often have you heard people saying there are two Gods in the Bible, the "fearsome" God of the Tanakh (OT) and the God of love in the Christian portion?

Jews refer to God as Avinu Malkenu, Our Father Our King. In fact, during these High Holy Days of autumn, this prayer becomes especially dear to us.

I would argue that either Our King or Our Father alone without the other is entirely unbalanced. We must have both sides in order to experience the fullness of HaShem.

It's not just that...

It just occured to me that it may be Islam's lack of humility, in it's teachings, that cause me anxiety about Islam.

Please show me whether or not Islam practices and supports humbleness. Or if pride and assertiveness are more valued in Islam.

Thanks for taking part in my quest for understanding.

This is really startling to watch the data change over time!

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I posted it in general religious debates.

Didn't almost all other biblical prophets have wives - many of them? Is there evidence in the bible Jesus wasn't married? Why shouldn't he have been?

Isn’t this interesting on slavery.

Duet 23:15 “… “You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him…”

You help return lost property in the last chapters but when it comes to slaves… you let them stay free.

Freedom for slaves built into the law and in more than one way. The year of jubilee when slaves were...

A question that arises a lot for me this days is. "how can we make so radical critique of a religion or spiritual path we do not follow our self"?

I have done this fault many times my self, but realized that it is not going to help me in the faith; Belief or religious practice i do, The new understanding to me is, " How do ifind the answer needed with in my own belief or religious teachings". I do not need to make critique of others anymore, because it is enough to make critique of my own...

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Came across this little gem a bit ago and thought I'd share.
Thoughts?

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I was just curious if anyone here attends Church meetings, Mass, synagogue, mosque, or whatever other word you use for religious group gatherings. I know some go on Saturdays and others on Sundays, so if you went, let everyone know.

Also, if you don't mind explaining, what was the most memorable experience you had while you were there.

Thanks.

One thing that I've always had trouble accepting is that people who do not believe in the "true" religion will suffer in hell for eternity. I have been told that it's our choice: either we choose God or we choose to be apart from Him and we reap what we sow.

But if God is really all-knowing, then God should know the future. This means that God should be aware that billions of people will never choose his true religion, for various reasons. No matter how many signs or mercies God sends...