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Hey, Yo! Abrahamics

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
I have a question(s) for the ritually and dogmatically devoted abrahamics-Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, um, and all in between.

I'm treading trying to figure how to live my faith as a Buddhist beyond sitting on the cushion, reading suttas, and saying thank you.

When you guys read your sacred text, and you read "Love thy neighbor" and "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)" and so forth.

How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.

The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what

are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

I just want to get an idea of how you guys apply scripture to your everyday life. I mean, anyone can pray and light a candle. Anyone a say "do unto others as one would do unto themselves" but what does that actually mean in action and how do you personally apply it--that or make it up but keep with the context of the questions.

If you have nothing nice to say about my posts, please don't reply. I ignored people that I never had any issues with. Maybe its the way I toss my fingers when I type or the baby finger that sticks out, who knows.

Point being: be respectful.

Share your practice in relation to your belief.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Carlita, by being the best you can in virtues. If you fail, keep trying, little by little day by day. The opportunities to do this are endless, you do not have to have God in your life to consider being a person of virtues.

Edit

Also consider Labels are not needed

Regards Tony
 

Enoch07

It's all a sick freaking joke.
Premium Member
I have a question(s) for the ritually and dogmatically devoted abrahamics-Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, um, and all in between.

I'm treading trying to figure how to live my faith as a Buddhist beyond sitting on the cushion, reading suttas, and saying thank you.

When you guys read your sacred text, and you read "Love thy neighbor" and "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)" and so forth.

How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.

The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what

are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

I just want to get an idea of how you guys apply scripture to your everyday life. I mean, anyone can pray and light a candle. Anyone a say "do unto others as one would do unto themselves" but what does that actually mean in action and how do you personally apply it--that or make it up but keep with the context of the questions.

If you have nothing nice to say about my posts, please don't reply. I ignored people that I never had any issues with. Maybe its the way I toss my fingers when I type or the baby finger that sticks out, who knows.

Point being: be respectful.

Share your practice in relation to your belief.

Well I don't know how a Buddhist would live.

But as a Christian. I just do the best I can. I still make mistakes. But a typical day is; I wake up, talk to my daughter usually about whats going on in the house who is doing what and so on. If I am on shift, I go to work, do the best I can to stay productive. If I am off shift. I just spend time with friends and family.

Apparently I am the neighborhood "Father" as most of the kids (I say kids but they are teenagers) like to come by and ask my advice about whatever is going on in their life. Lot of the times I hide on the back porch in hopes they don't spot me. I just like to be alone with my thoughts mostly. Boring I know.

Anyways I just try to live a peaceful life. I help people if I am able. I try treat people with respect until they give me a reason not to. Occasionally though, not very much anymore. Ill sit down and read the bible, if I don't understand something I'll use a strongs concordance to translate the words back to the original greek or hebrew meaning. That helps sometimes, other times it only makes me ask even more questions. I don't do churches. If I talk about religion with anyone it is here on RF or of someone comes to me and opens that door, and ask questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Otherwise I just keep it to myself. I pray time to time. Sometimes I go weeks or months without praying. But then I'll go weeks or months of praying everyday. I don't do estsblished prayers. Basically I just talk to God internally like He was any other person. It helps even though I have never heard a voice back, I do feel better afterwards usually, especially if something weighs heavy on my mind.

Basically I am just a boring regular person. I just happen to live my religion in my everyday life instead of only doing it once per week, or once per day or whatnot. Kinda a shotgun approach to Christianity. It works for me.

I don't know if Buddhist would be able to translate something like this into their life. Though I see no reason why you couldn't, should it be something you would like.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I have a question(s) for the ritually and dogmatically devoted abrahamics-Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, um, and all in between.

I'm treading trying to figure how to live my faith as a Buddhist beyond sitting on the cushion, reading suttas, and saying thank you.

When you guys read your sacred text, and you read "Love thy neighbor" and "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)" and so forth.

How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.

The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what

are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

I just want to get an idea of how you guys apply scripture to your everyday life. I mean, anyone can pray and light a candle. Anyone a say "do unto others as one would do unto themselves" but what does that actually mean in action and how do you personally apply it--that or make it up but keep with the context of the questions.

If you have nothing nice to say about my posts, please don't reply. I ignored people that I never had any issues with. Maybe its the way I toss my fingers when I type or the baby finger that sticks out, who knows.

Point being: be respectful.

Share your practice in relation to your belief.
Giving up meat. Living modestly and using eco-friendly products and those not derived animal testing (except life saving medicine) comes to mind. Charity if one is rich. Sending greeting cards to estranged friends and relatives. These look like Buddhist todo-s based on eightfold path.
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
I have a question(s) for the ritually and dogmatically devoted abrahamics-Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, um, and all in between.

I'm treading trying to figure how to live my faith as a Buddhist beyond sitting on the cushion, reading suttas, and saying thank you.

When you guys read your sacred text, and you read "Love thy neighbor" and "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)" and so forth.

How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.

The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what

are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

I just want to get an idea of how you guys apply scripture to your everyday life. I mean, anyone can pray and light a candle. Anyone a say "do unto others as one would do unto themselves" but what does that actually mean in action and how do you personally apply it--that or make it up but keep with the context of the questions.

If you have nothing nice to say about my posts, please don't reply. I ignored people that I never had any issues with. Maybe its the way I toss my fingers when I type or the baby finger that sticks out, who knows.

Point being: be respectful.

Share your practice in relation to your belief.

Seizing opportunities to assist and be of service to others.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Giving up meat. Living modestly and using eco-friendly products and those not derived animal testing (except life saving medicine) comes to mind. Charity if one is rich. Sending greeting cards to estranged friends and relatives. These look like Buddhist todo-s based on eightfold path.

True. I volunteer teach as my service. During celebrations, the monks let me clean the manastary and help them out. I dont know about giving up meat ground meat, yes. Fish and chicken not so much.

Did you always have that diet or if you converted, what did you do?
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
The simple act of making a cup of tea for someone or listening to someone who is feeling down can be service enough.

The most simple things are service too. I guess for me personally, I'd like to a bit further. Other than volunteering and helping the monks (and helping others etc), I honestly don't know what else I can do.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
True. I volunteer teach as my service. During celebrations, the monks let me clean the manastary and help them out. I dont know about giving up meat ground meat, yes. Fish and chicken not so much.

Did you always have that diet or if you converted, what did you do?
Me always Hindu. Never ate beef. But goat, chicken fish yes. Gave up goat first. Now expt. on giving up chicken and fish. Will stick to egg. A joint concern for how animals are reared and fished as well as global warming footprint of livestock is the motivation.
 

DavidFirth

Well-Known Member
I have a question(s) for the ritually and dogmatically devoted abrahamics-Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, um, and all in between.

I'm treading trying to figure how to live my faith as a Buddhist beyond sitting on the cushion, reading suttas, and saying thank you.

When you guys read your sacred text, and you read "Love thy neighbor" and "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)" and so forth.

How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.

The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what

are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

I just want to get an idea of how you guys apply scripture to your everyday life. I mean, anyone can pray and light a candle. Anyone a say "do unto others as one would do unto themselves" but what does that actually mean in action and how do you personally apply it--that or make it up but keep with the context of the questions.

If you have nothing nice to say about my posts, please don't reply. I ignored people that I never had any issues with. Maybe its the way I toss my fingers when I type or the baby finger that sticks out, who knows.

Point being: be respectful.

Share your practice in relation to your belief.

I believe it is only possible to do anything good with good intentions by the means of the Holy Spirit. All good things come from God. I cannot love my neighbor as myself unless God enables me to do it. When my pride comes into play it can't happen.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Me always Hindu. Never ate beef. But goat, chicken fish yes. Gave up goat first. Now expt. on giving up chicken and fish. Will stick to egg. A joint concern for how animals are reared and fished as well as global warming footprint of livestock is the motivation.

I was thinking of keeping my meats only between fish and eggs. I don't need chicken that much. Sometimes I'm flat out of luck and see a delicious hotdog and kick myself for eating it. Ha.
 
Last edited:

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
I believe it is only possible to do anything good with good intentions by the means of the Holy Spirit. All good things come from God. I cannot love my neighbor as myself unless God enables me to do it. When my pride comes into play it can't happen.

Thank you. What things do you do naturally when motivated by god to do so?
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I was thinking of keeping my meets only between fish and eggs. I don't need chicken that much. Sometimes I'm flat out of luck and see a delicious hotdog and kick myself for eating it. Ha.
Every little helps. No worries. We have a billion lifetimes to get it right. ;)
 

DavidFirth

Well-Known Member
Thank you. What things do you do naturally when motivated by god to do so?

Well, when the Spirit "overtakes" me I just start thinking scriptural things and how the universe fits into God's will. It's hard to describe, really, and it usually only happens when I'm alone.

I saw a guy in a broken down car near my home yesterday. I turned around and went back and asked him if he needed any help. I doubt I would have done that if I weren't a Christian. The guy looked okay and wasn't trying to flag anybody down or anything so the temptation was there just to forget about him.

And we are tempted by Satan when we see someone who may need our help and ignore them is the way I see it. It's just as wrong not to do right as it is just to do wrong.

Stuff like that.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Well, when the Spirit "overtakes" me I just start thinking scriptural things and how the universe fits into God's will. It's hard to describe, really, and it usually only happens when I'm alone.

I saw a guy in a broken down car near my home yesterday. I turned around and went back and asked him if he needed any help. I doubt I would have done that if I weren't a Christian. The guy looked okay and wasn't trying to flag anybody down or anything so the temptation was there just to forget about him.

And we are tempted by Satan when we see someone who may need our help and ignore them is the way I see it. It's just as wrong not to do right as it is just to do wrong.

Stuff like that.

Cool. Most my life we were never taught to give gratitude. So, I too saw someone needing help. This was something small. He needed a grocery cart and they were all smashed into one another. I had mine out and gave it to him instead of watching him try to pull one out himself. Knowing me, it took a huge hesitation on my part. Most of the time I would have gone around him.

Do you think satan does more diverting you from helping others than you receive messages from god to help others?
 

DavidFirth

Well-Known Member
Cool. Most my life we were never taught to give gratitude. So, I too saw someone needing help. This was something small. He needed a grocery cart and they were all smashed into one another. I had mine out and gave it to him instead of watching him try to pull one out himself. Knowing me, it took a huge hesitation on my part. Most of the time I would have gone around him.

Do you think satan does more diverting you from helping others than you receive messages from god to help others?

That's a good question. I'm not sure. I think that when God "speaks" to me (without using words) I very often just do not listen so due to that I have no idea. I know that Satan bombards me all the time and he knows all my weaknesses for sure.
 

arthra

Baha'i
How do you scripturally apply these things literally not metaphorically (we all want to love thy neighbor and do service to others, for example) in accordance with your scriptures.
The laws of marriage, avoiding sexual perversion, killing, and so forth are pretty straight forward. What about the teachings that aren't negative in nature. Are they only practiced in worship or what
are there specific ways you use scriptures to apply it to a given situation. If you do, name a situation (or make up one similar) that you use your sacred scripture to define and determine how you should act in that given event.

Thanks for your question!

Well Carlita you have a wide experience as you've mentioned before but since you've asked allow me to share a few examples. First permit to rephrase a bit your question:

How do we apply these scriptures in a daily pragmatic manner?
Baha'i Writings are vast so let's see if I can come with a Writing that is "literally" applied.

There is a principle we have in the Faith that is opposed to partisanship:

"There is no partisanship among them, no separation due to notions of patriotism."

(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 269)

"To have Bahá'ís involved in the regular machinery of campaign politics would be to undermine the Faith's essential position of non-partisanship. Therefore, the House of Justice feels that a Bahá'í should neither campaign on his own behalf nor do anything to promote his candidacy. Partisan politics, it should be borne in mind, includes not only party affiliation but also campaigning, whether in the context of a political party or not, by setting oneself up against another in a political contest."

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

Baha'is do not belong to political parties and do not run for any partisan offices at election time. Personally I have served on a non-partisan Human Relations Commission in my town but never in a partisan political group.

So the above is an example.
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
The most simple things are service too. I guess for me personally, I'd like to a bit further. Other than volunteering and helping the monks (and helping others etc), I honestly don't know what else I can do.

You have identified yourself as a Buddhist and are serving your faith community. Those are two major steps in your spiritual path. What more do you need to do?
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
You have identified yourself as a Buddhist and are serving your faith community. Those are two major steps in your spiritual path. What more do you need to do?

Shrugs. I always wanted to be an patient advocate for individuals with Epilepsy. The Cyberonics company (the company that made the VNS device in my chest) put me on a list of thousands across the states; so, anyone considering VNS has the option to call me (one out of a thousand). One person did call me from Kentucky I believe. I'm at home most of the time since I'm not in school right now.

I've always been a "go all out" person. Missionary, monk, priest, nun, or so forth. Its an inner need to do more than give a homeless person a dollar bill.
 
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