Your rules of life

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

I can figure out how to turn to a power greater than myself, forgive others, be at peace, be humble, try not to lust after women, try not to be angry, try not to covet anything, do not be jealous, do not be lazy, be self-disciplined, do not be a drunkard or drug addict, do not lie, be real with people, obey the laws of the land (unless we become something cruel), don't rip people off, and have compassion for others.

I value all of those virtues and behaviors and don't need an ancient text to figure it out.

What do you think you would value if you didn't have an ancient text dictating what you value?

If you don't value an ancient text, what have you learned as a rule of life that you live by.

Honesty has become a huge one to me. I never want to tell a lie. Just be you (unless you're an ***hole lol).

I think a lot of the answers lie within us. I think the Bible and the Koran is causing a lot of people to stray from what they know to be right or wrong.

That said, I also believe both books have truth in them. I'm just not going to compromise what I know to be right or wrong because some ancient text ( written by men ) says to.

So far as I can see, you can learn everything you need to learn for a fulfilling life without those books.

1. Buy it while it's on sale, because it won't always be on sale.
2. Buy it while it's in stock, because it won't always be in stock.
3. Buy it while you have the money, because you won't always have the money.

Life lessons.

Quick question!!! How do I make a thread?

Smile a lot.
Don't think so much.

Miracle said:

Quick question!!! How do I make a thread?

Click to expand...

First it depends upon where you want to make the thread. Areas marked 'Dir' you have to get access too, first.

To make a thread you find a section of interest. What I do is click 'Forums' on the menu bar. That gives me the outline of the site. From there I can see all the section headings. Click on the section heading you want, such as Games Jokes & Pics located under General Discussion. Then you should see a blue button that says Post New Thread. Its about 1/2 down the page.

Miracle said:

Quick question!!! How do I make a thread?

Click to expand...

I have not made one myself. But I think you click on "Forums" find the appropriate Forum where you want to make the thread, click on it. Then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Make new Thread".

Brickjectivity said:

First it depends upon where you want to make the thread. Areas marked 'Dir' you have to get access too, first.

To make a thread you find a section of interest. What I do is click 'Forums' on the menu bar. That gives me the outline of the site. From there I can see all the section headings. Click on the section heading you want, such as Games Jokes & Pics located under General Discussion. Then you should see a blue button that says Post New Thread. Its about 1/2 down the page.

Click to expand...

Thanks Brickjectivity, it looks like you got to it first.

Sunstone said:

So far as I can see, you can learn everything you need to learn for a fulfilling life without those books.

Click to expand...

I would agree with that, though at the same time I think I learned a great deal from many of them. The Bible, Tao Te Ching, Pirqe Aboth, Analects . . . a dissertation on the four noble truths by Ajahn Sumedho.

I was 27 before I ever read a Bible and I was an avid reader since childhood. I've learned a great deal from many books I've read, on American History, the paranormal, classics of popular entertainment like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jack London, Sterling North, even Erma Bombeck . . . and especially my favorite, Frank Herbert. But I don't think I needed any of them for life, as such.

I've read many religious texts and I think the same applies. I could have gone the rest of my life without any of them, but I certainly am glad and feel fortunate in that I had the opportunity to read them.

PopeADope said:

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

Click to expand...

The who & the what?
Never read them.
Rules....be flexible, consider options, avoid stress, honor commitments, don't burn the bacon.

I really don't think it is necessary. Until Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1400's most people did not have many religious texts. It seems like people got along fine before then, and there were more religious people at that time, so no I do not think they are necessary.

Work for what you want and don't expect everything to be given to you.

PopeADope said:

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

Click to expand...

Books can be useful and can serve as a cross-check but are not necessary for many people.

PopeADope said:

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

Click to expand...

Frankly, most anything.

Except. of course, how to discuss matters with certain Christians and Muslims.

(...)

What do you think you would value if you didn't have an ancient text dictating what you value?

Click to expand...

I never had such a text. Hopefully I never will.

In a more general sense, I do not acknowledge that as a valid role for any scripture. It is for the religious to decide which scripture to validate, if any, and to which extent and under which conditions.

If you don't value an ancient text, what have you learned as a rule of life that you live by.

Click to expand...

I value many ancient texts. But there are strict limits to what worth even proper religious scriptures may conceivably attain. Decision makers about moral values, they are not. At their best, scriptures provocate reflection that may bring wisdom.

Obedience or conformity to ancient rules for their own sake are simply not very useful nor very constructive.

Honesty has become a huge one to me. I never want to tell a lie. Just be you (unless you're an ***hole lol).

I think a lot of the answers lie within us. I think the Bible and the Koran is causing a lot of people to stray from what they know to be right or wrong.

That said, I also believe both books have truth in them. I'm just not going to compromise what I know to be right or wrong because some ancient text ( written by men ) says to.

Click to expand...

That is a wise attitude, because it enables many other, further, very necessary ones.

I wonder if it would even conceivably be any different if the text could somehow have been of divine origin. I can't think of any reason why it would.

In the absence of a higher power, i set up a higher power standard.

I like ideals. But i am human. Human nature and reality could care less about my ideals.

I am quite sure the average person can do better than ancient texts for finding rules to live by.

My higher power i call truth or virtue. Every good word of character is virtue.

Charity is the highest virtue imo. If everybody gave everyone their deserve, the world would be beautiful. Life to me is about serving others, and taking care of yourself too. Give to live.

Big picture, little picture and baby steps. Live in the now. Commit to an important and worthy goal and persist at it. Priority focus.

Filter out all the needless garbage and distractions.

Adapt to the situation.

Develope a routine.

Put things into practice. Practice is better than theory.

Reinforce good habits, give no place or room for otherwise.

Organize everything.

Failure is an opportunity to learn.

Everything is a work in progress.

Enjoy the process.

Dont take anything too hard.

Surround yourself with positives.

Turn the negative into a positive.

If all fails, assess the damage, and seek help.

Everything is an opportunity for something.

No matter what happens, learn from it.

Never quit on life.

A good word in due season.

Create positives.

Proactive, not reactive.

Health is wealth.

Always work on improving the self.

Make someone smile.

PopeADope said:

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

I can figure out how to turn to a power greater than myself, forgive others, be at peace, be humble, try not to lust after women, try not to be angry, try not to covet anything, do not be jealous, do not be lazy, be self-disciplined, do not be a drunkard or drug addict, do not lie, be real with people, obey the laws of the land (unless we become something cruel), don't rip people off, and have compassion for others.

I value all of those virtues and behaviors and don't need an ancient text to figure it out.

What do you think you would value if you didn't have an ancient text dictating what you value?

If you don't value an ancient text, what have you learned as a rule of life that you live by.

Honesty has become a huge one to me. I never want to tell a lie. Just be you (unless you're an ***hole lol).

I think a lot of the answers lie within us. I think the Bible and the Koran is causing a lot of people to stray from what they know to be right or wrong.

That said, I also believe both books have truth in them. I'm just not going to compromise what I know to be right or wrong because some ancient text ( written by men ) says to.

Click to expand...

Good points. Very honest, good you only have 3 "try" left.

I had quite a few good points already in me, without reading scriptures.
But reading scriptures gave me in a short time quite a few extra good points to work on. So Scriptures are valuable to speed up learning.
In my experience though, it is better not to have too many points to work on. When you know how you should/would do, but can't yet, it can make you feel miserable

Better than scripture for me is the personal association with a guru (perfect embodiment of these virtues you wish to make your own)

It differs drastically on one's environment. Life without a god has taught me that life is about money, sex and drugs which as much as I love those things I do not think a truly unexamined life would lead to humility but just jealousy and bitterness.

PopeADope said:

What can you learn by yourself without a Bible or Quran?

I can figure out how to turn to a power greater than myself, forgive others, be at peace, be humble, try not to lust after women, try not to be angry, try not to covet anything, do not be jealous, do not be lazy, be self-disciplined, do not be a drunkard or drug addict, do not lie, be real with people, obey the laws of the land (unless we become something cruel), don't rip people off, and have compassion for others.

I value all of those virtues and behaviors and don't need an ancient text to figure it out.

What do you think you would value if you didn't have an ancient text dictating what you value?

If you don't value an ancient text, what have you learned as a rule of life that you live by.

Honesty has become a huge one to me. I never want to tell a lie. Just be you (unless you're an ***hole lol).

I think a lot of the answers lie within us. I think the Bible and the Koran is causing a lot of people to stray from what they know to be right or wrong.

That said, I also believe both books have truth in them. I'm just not going to compromise what I know to be right or wrong because some ancient text ( written by men ) says to.

Click to expand...

I can learn alot of things about myself whether I have my Bible or not. It's the power to be holy, just, and righteous that escapes me when I am not saved and reading my Bible--as I do now.

Honestly looking at all your questions. Much of what we value are "good" things, all attributed to God. For example,

Brickjectivity said:

First it depends upon where you want to make the thread. Areas marked 'Dir' you have to get access too, first.

To make a thread you find a section of interest. What I do is click 'Forums' on the menu bar. That gives me the outline of the site. From there I can see all the section headings. Click on the section heading you want, such as Games Jokes & Pics located under General Discussion. Then you should see a blue button that says Post New Thread. Its about 1/2 down the page.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much!!!

Misunderstood said:

I have not made one myself. But I think you click on "Forums" find the appropriate Forum where you want to make the thread, click on it. Then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Make new Thread".

Click to expand...

Thank you so much!!!!